U.S. Representatives Howard P. “Buck” McKeon, the Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, and Michael R. Turner (R-Ohio), the Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee, recently issued the following statement on the Iranian regime’s announcement that Iran is now a “nuclear state” after producing enriched uranium at higher levels:

“A nuclear Iran threatens the security and stability of the Middle East and the rest of the world. With today’s announcement, Tehran takes one step closer to a nuclear weapon.”

“While the Treasury Department’s freeze on Revolutionary Guard assets is welcome, it does not go far enough in raising the costs to the regime for its continued defiance of the international community.  We call on the Administration to impose broader and tougher sanctions on the Iranian government.” 

“We also believe that today’s announcement is a stark reminder of the need to maintain robust missile defenses for the United States homeland and to expeditiously deploy assets to protect our allies in the Middle East and Europe.” 

“At the same time Iran’s theocracy defies the international community by pursuing a nuclear weapon, the regime also continues to defy its own people.  Recent protests in Iran once again showed the Iranian people’s courage and democratic spirit; even in the face of state intimidation and brutality they bravely stand for freedom and liberty.”