Landsman Statement on Iran

Cincinnati, OH – Today, Congressman Greg Landsman (D-OH-01) released the following statement on Iran:

On Iran: We could end the bloodshed and mayhem 

For most of my life, the regime in Iran has caused bloodshed and mayhem. At some point, we have to say enough is enough, and begin to destroy its ability to kill innocent people, including its own citizens. 

In just two days last month, the regime murdered more than 30,000 of its own people. Of course, the terror doesn’t stop there. The regime has:

• Killed 600 Americans in Iraq (between 2003 and 2011).
• Killed 250 Americans in the 1983 Beirut bombings carried out by Hezbollah.
• Killed 500 Iranian protesters for not wearing a hijab in 2023.
• Fueled the Yemen Civil War though Iran’s backing of the Houthis, resulting in 150,000 direct deaths and another 200,000 indirect deaths from famine and disease. 
• Held 66 U.S. Embassy personnel hostage for 14 months during the 1979 takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran.

If it weren’t for the regime, Yemenis, Iraqis, Lebanese, Palestinians, and Persians might all be free.

While diplomacy has always been an option for the regime, they have yet to show any interest in disarming or pulling back from funding violence and terror in the region. 

Instead, the regime is threatening further attacks on Americans and our allies. 

Targeted strikes on military assets

The United States with its many partners in the Middle East may very well need to take defensive action, targeting military assets in Iran. 

Targeted strikes on known ballistic missiles and rocket infrastructure and other weapons depots, including nuclear assets, may very well save lives. 

The region and world would be a much safer place if the regime’s military capacity was leveled. 

These targeted strikes could prevent war, which should be the goal of any effort. 

Role of Congress 

The President must work with Congress on any military action. The Administration must stay in constant contact with the Gang of 8, or the bipartisan group of senior House and Senate leaders. 

The Administration must also lay out the case to the American people.

This is true for targeted strikes on military assets, even if the purpose is to prevent war and further violence.

Going to war, which would be boots on the ground and an extended or ongoing military engagement, does require congressional approval. 

If targeted, defensive strikes are necessary, and these strikes are successful, the prospect of war and further violence is diminished. 

That’s what we should all want: an end to decades of bloodshed and mayhem by this regime. We should continue to work to weaken the regime’s ability to do harm. 

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