Senior Republican Lawmaker to VOA: The Islamic Republic is the Source of 'Disorder, Violence, and Instability'

Scott Perry, a Republican member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, in an exclusive interview with VOA, called on the Biden administration to adopt 'Donald Trump's foreign policy' towards the Iranian government. In this interview, which took place on the sidelines of the annual 'Conservative Political Action Conference', he told Kambiz Toana, a reporter for VOA's Persian section, that the Islamic Republic is 'the main source of all this disorder, violence, and instability not only in Iran's neighboring region but in the entire world, especially the Middle East.' This senior Republican lawmaker continued, 'If you look at Iraq, Syria, Yemen, or Afghanistan, or even the situation in Israel and the role of Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Islamic Jihad group, the Islamic Republic forms the main source of this umbrella.' According to him, the connection between the Islamic Republic and the world should be severed, and support should be given to the Iranian people 'who want to live in freedom and to the opposition abroad who will replace the regime in Iran.' Regarding the importance of foreign policy discussions at this year's conference, Scott Perry said, 'Because the American people are witnessing that the U.S. government, especially President Joe Biden, is reflecting weakness across the globe, and they see how hostile powers are reacting to this incapacity. They are acting with hostility for their own interests and against the interests of freedom worldwide. This is a concern for all Americans.' This comes as the White House has consistently taken a hardline stance against America's enemies and unfriendly countries, including Russia and the Iranian government. John Kirby, the White House National Security Council communications advisor, said last month, following a deadly attack on three American soldiers in Jordan, that the imposition of hundreds of sanctions against Iranian officials and entities over the past three years and the strengthening of the U.S. military presence in the region indicate that Joe Biden has not adopted a soft approach towards the Islamic Republic. Regarding American voter trends in the upcoming presidential election, Perry stated that 'the discussion of sending billions of dollars to Ukraine by the Biden administration' is occurring while voters believe the Biden government has neither a plan nor states what strategy it is pursuing. This senior Republican lawmaker added that the question of American taxpayers who work hard is what sending their money to Ukraine helps achieve in reaching a solution. According to him, the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the current White House policy towards China and the Islamic Republic have also created an atmosphere where Americans interested in traveling to other countries and getting to know other cultures now fear traveling. Regarding the message of the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, Scott Perry said this conference is 'a place to access the truth without filters and censorship.' This senior Republican lawmaker further explained, 'We have a duty in America to have both the power of choice and a voice, but you also need to be able to be informed and aware.' He stated, 'We are in an era where you need multiple news sources. This conference should also be part of your ways to receive information so that you can make a correct and informed decision.' The Persian section of VOA has also requested comments from senators and House representatives from the Democratic Party regarding this matter, and as of the time of this report, no response has been received from them.