White House to VOA: Biden Administration Will Continue to Hold the Islamic Republic Accountable

John Kirby, the Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council of the White House, stated during a press conference on Thursday in response to a question from Farhad Pouladi, a reporter for VOA's Persian section, that the Biden administration will continue to hold the Iranian government accountable for its destabilizing activities. Support for Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Hamas, the ongoing attacks by the Houthis on commercial ships with the help of the Islamic Republic, attacks by the Islamic Republic on commercial ships in the Persian Gulf, and support for Russia and its aggression in Ukraine are among the destabilizing activities of the Islamic Republic that this senior White House diplomat mentioned. Kirby further noted over 600 U.S. sanctions against the Islamic Republic over the past three and a half years and added that the Biden administration will continue to hold the Iranian government accountable in the coming months. In response to the second question from the VOA Persian reporter regarding the White House's position on Netanyahu calling protesters 'useful idiots' during his speech at the joint session of Congress on Wednesday, he said, 'We do not use such terminology.' According to him, the Islamic Republic 'has certainly tried to interfere here... and create division.' Kirby added that Iranian officials have 'helped finance some of the protests,' but stating that all were financed by Iran is 'regrettable' and does not accurately reflect the reality of the protests. This senior White House diplomat, regarding Netanyahu's statement that Israel's confrontation with the Islamic Republic and its proxies, as well as the Iranian government's nuclear activities, protects not only Israel but also the U.S., said, 'It is clear that the United States and Israel share concerns about Iran's destabilizing activities.' He cited the confrontation with Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis as examples of U.S.-Israel cooperation against the destabilizing activities of the Iranian government and its proxies. Kirby emphasized that U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are discussing America's ironclad commitment to Israel's security, including confronting the very serious threats posed by the Islamic Republic and its network of proxies throughout the region, during their ongoing meeting at the White House. Regarding negotiations to end the war in Gaza, he stressed the need to return hostages taken by Hamas, including American citizens, and to establish a six-week ceasefire according to the first phase of Biden's proposed plan. The National Security Council's Coordinator for Strategic Communications also expressed hope that the conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah would not escalate into a full-scale war. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, on Wednesday, August 3, during his speech in the U.S. Congress, called for strengthening American support for Israel's battle against Hamas militants and other groups supported by the Islamic Republic, stating, 'Israel fights in its battle against the Islamic Republic for the interests of America.' According to the Israeli Prime Minister, 'The Islamic Republic's terrorism axis in the Middle East stands against America, Israel, and our Arab friends.' He emphasized that this is not a clash of civilizations but a confrontation between 'barbarism and civilization.' In another part, referring to anti-Israel protests outside the U.S. Congress, he described the protesters as 'useful idiots for the Islamic Republic.' He further added that the Islamic Republic supports the anti-Israel protests occurring outside the Congress building and in various parts of the city. Netanyahu claimed that the protesters stood alongside Hamas, aggressors, and murderers. The Israeli Prime Minister stated that when facing the Islamic Republic's proxies, Israel is also fighting for America's interests in the region. He also claimed that Israel fights in its battle against the Islamic Republic for America's interests. Netanyahu said, 'Iran understands that to truly challenge America, it must first conquer the Middle East, and for this, it uses its proxies, including the Houthis, Hezbollah, and Hamas.' He added that in the heart of the Middle East, Israel, a proud supporter of American democracy, stands in the way of the Islamic Republic. The Israeli Prime Minister stated that the Islamic Republic's goal is first Israel and then America. According to Netanyahu, when Israel fights Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, it fights the Islamic Republic. Netanyahu, wearing a yellow pin to show solidarity with Israeli hostages held by Hamas, said America and Israel must stand together. He continued, 'When we stand together, something truly great happens; we win, they lose.' Netanyahu received a warm welcome from Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, and other Republican lawmakers who arranged for his speech in the House chamber. Mr. Johnson stated just before Netanyahu's speech, 'Today and every day, America must stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel.' He was met with standing ovations from both parties. With Wednesday's speech, Netanyahu became the first foreign leader to speak four times at a joint session of the U.S. Congress. One of the released Israeli hostages and the families of some victims killed by Hamas militants were also present at this session. More than 50 Democratic representatives and independent Bernie Sanders boycotted Netanyahu's speech in Congress. Kamala Harris, the U.S. Vice President, who serves as the President of the Senate, was absent from the session due to attending a previously scheduled event. Senator Patty Murray from Washington, the next Democrat in line, also abstained from attending this session, which is why Senator Ben Cardin, the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, replaced her as 'temporary senator.' Kamala Harris condemned the disrespect and burning of the American flag.