Support from the Chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee for Two Proposed Bills Against the Activities of the Islamic Republic

Michael McCaul, Chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, on Wednesday expressed support for two bills aimed at "countering the actions of the Islamic Republic" and "deterring Houthi attacks in the Red Sea." These bills are designed to address "urgent concerns in the Middle East" following the Islamic Republic's attack on Israel and Tehran's support for militia groups in the region. The Chairman emphasized the importance of the bills, stating that any reduction of sanctions on the Islamic Republic must be reviewed by Congress. McCaul stated, "We cannot tolerate any strategic miscalculation regarding the Islamic Republic... every dollar that goes to the Iranian government... carries the risk of deadly consequences." He stressed the necessity of re-designating the Houthis in Yemen as a terrorist organization and described their destructive actions in the Red Sea as a "direct consequence of the Biden administration's weakness on the global stage." The "Deterring Houthi Attacks in the Red Sea" bill, if finally approved, would require the U.S. State Department to re-designate the Houthis as a "foreign terrorist organization." The Chairman elaborated that the goal of this bill is to limit the Houthis, protect Yemeni civilians, and safeguard global trade from further instability. Michael McCaul had previously told Fox News that the Islamic Republic undermines the "resolve of the United States" with its proxy attacks and that it must be dealt with forcefully for deterrence. Senior Republican Senator Jim Risch also previously announced in a statement the support of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for two bills against the Islamic Republic of Iran. On Tuesday, April 17, he announced that the two bills "End Iranian Terrorism" and "Do Not Conceal Iranian Oil" have been approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The U.S. announced cooperation with allies to design a "unified strategy" in response to the actions of the Islamic Republic. The European Union supports the expansion of sanctions against the Islamic Republic, focusing on missile and drone industries. The President of the European Commission stated that the Islamic Republic's attack on Israel is a sign of a new alliance of authoritarian regimes. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee's support for the dual bills against the Islamic Republic includes the call to end Iranian terrorism. The U.S. Treasury Secretary stated that sanctions will be used to disrupt the destabilizing activities of the Iranian government. The U.S. has sanctioned a logistics network of the Iranian Ministry of Defense.