Iran

But the fall of Syria’s Assad and the weakened states of Hamas and Hezbollah have diminished Iran’s influence. At the same time, domestic unrest and a struggling economy create growing threats to Iran’s clerical rulers. The Trump administration has an historic opportunity to use diplomacy to move Iran away from its dangerous nuclear brinkmanship and toward a better future for the Iranian
people.

Call on Congress to support diplomatic efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring or developing a nuclear weapon.

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Since late February, the United States and Israel have been waging an unauthorized war against Iran. The Trump administration alleged its chief military objective was to degrade Iranian military capabilities and prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon but strikes also wiped out a significant cadre of Iranian government and military leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamanei. The Islamic regime has remained largely resilient, engaging in asymmetric attacks and expanding the conflict to neighboring countries. Most critically, Iran’s military closed the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world’s gas travels, leading to one of the most significant global energy crises. Mediators like Pakistan and Qatar have helped to broker temporary ceasefires, but the Strait remained closed as Israeli attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon stymied greater progress in ending in the war.

In mid-June, the U.S. and Iran signed a Memorandum of Understanding creating a framework for a final peace and nuclear agreement to be negotiated in 60 days to end the war. The ceasefire has since deteriorated: in early July, Iran struck three commercial vessels that bypassed its preapproved shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, prompting renewed U.S. strikes and threats of major combat operations against Iran. After nearly two weeks of daily military strikes and the death of 3 U.S. servicemembers as Iran expanded its attack to U.S. bases in Jordan, intermittent attacks from both sides continue.