[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 102 (Tuesday, June 18, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3631-S3632]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                  IRAN

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, for years American administrations of 
both parties have properly labeled Iran as the world's most active 
state sponsor of terrorism. This assessment is based on the cold hard 
facts of Tehran's behavior.
  Iran's support for terrorism knows few bounds, sectarian or 
geographic. Iran has provided support to Sunni, Shia, and secular 
terrorists. It has conducted or sponsored attacks around the world, 
including a plot right here in Washington, during the Obama 
administration, to blow up a local restaurant and kill the Saudi 
Ambassador to the United States.
  We know that Tehran is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of 
American servicemembers in Iraq and Afghanistan--Americans murdered by 
Iran's proxies. So while it should be shocking that Iran is now 
conducting more attacks against civilian shipping vessels in 
international waters, unfortunately, it really isn't all that shocking. 
This is the kind of behavior we have witnessed over the years.
  Until recently, the United States spent years failing to hold Iran 
sufficiently accountable for its terrorism, proxies, and ``gray zone'' 
tactics. Tehran was emboldened to tread all over international law.
  Now things are different, and Iran's corrupt, moribund economy is 
feeling the pressure of U.S. sanctions. So it is not surprising that 
the mullahs now resort to their favorite tool--violence.
  The President has said he does not seek conflict with Iran, and 
neither does the Senate. Nevertheless, the risks of a conflict are 
real. But make no mistake. They are being driven by Tehran's decision 
to resort to violence, and that includes what the Secretary of State 
has described as a ``blatant assault'' on international shipping, 
threatening the freedom of navigation in international waters.
  Tehran must not be rewarded for terror and intimidation. The United 
States and our partners need to stand firm and apply concerted, 
coordinated diplomatic and economic pressure until Tehran changes its 
behavior.

  Acting Secretary Shanahan, at the request of his military commanders, 
has ordered additional forces to the Middle East for purposes of 
defense and deterrence. As he made clear when announcing this 
deployment, the United States does not seek conflict with Iran.
  I support these prudent efforts to respond to Iranian intimidation. 
Defensive military deployments will help us to protect American 
interests in the region and deter Iranian aggression. I encourage the 
administration to continue working closely with our partners across the 
globe to encourage Iran's leaders to cease their aggression.
  I hope Iran's leaders will listen to the demands of their people, who 
continue to protest against the stifling authoritarianism of the 
Islamic Republic for a better, more prosperous, more peaceful life.
  I also appreciate the administration's efforts to keep Congress 
apprised of the latest intelligence, deployments, and

[[Page S3632]]

diplomatic efforts. I understand committee staff received a classified 
briefing just yesterday. I look forward to hearing from the State 
Department's top career diplomat at the Republican lunch today. I hope 
my colleagues across the aisle rethink their decision to turn down his 
offer to brief them. I understand the administration will be sending up 
interagency teams this week to brief the oversight committees in a 
classified setting, as well.
  For our part, the Senate will consider several measures in the coming 
days that will directly impact our presence and influence in this 
troubled region, including arms sales to key regional partners, as well 
as the NDAA. I urge every one of my colleagues to keep these deadly 
serious developments at the top of our minds as we attend to our 
business in the days ahead.

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