Members of the Florida congressional delegation are urging the Obama administration to get tough with Iran after the country began testing ballistic missiles this week in violation of UN Security Council resolutions.
Iran tested missiles this week which the Tehran regime insists will be able to strike Israel.
From his perch as chairman of the U.S. House National Security Subcommittee, U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., who is currently running for the U.S. Senate, weighed in on Tuesday, saying the Obama administration’s efforts, including its deal with Iran over its nuclear program, were making things less safe in the Middle East.
"This belligerent behavior by Iran is yet further proof of the regime's malevolent intentions,” DeSantis said. “As Iran flouts international resolutions with its missile tests, it is foolish to think that the Obama-Kerry Iran deal will stifle the regime's nuclear ambitions. Indeed, the Obama administration's weakness in the face of Iran's provocative conduct invites more bad conduct by the Iranian regime.”
On the other side of the aisle, U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla., the ranking Democrat on the U.S. House Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, said he was willing to see additional sanctions enacted on Iran.
Deutch had broken with the White House over the Iran nuclear deal.
"Today Iran launched a second consecutive ballistic missile test in blatant violation of international law,” Deutch said on Wednesday. “It is now clear that this regime has no intention of abiding by its commitments under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231. If the United Nations does not finally take action against these illegal missile tests, it once again calls into question the willingness to take action against Iranian violations of the nuclear agreement. If the international community will not act, the U.S. must vigorously impose and enforce our own sanctions."
Deutch insisted the recent missile tests showed why his bill allowing Congress to impose sanctions on Iran if it backs terrorism acts needs to be adopted. Earlier this year, Deutch brought out the “Zero Tolerance for Terror Act” with U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III, D-Mass., which gives Congress more ability to impose sanctions. on Iran. Deutch's measure has the support of some Republicans including U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-SC, the chair of the U.S. House Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN.
