Congress, Trump need a united front to face down Iran – The Hill (blog)
Iran policy has been one of the most divisive foreign policy issues in recent years. The Obama administrations nuclear deal passed Congress without a single Republican vote, and Donald TrumpDonald TrumpUS probes Manaforts banking: report America must improve defense against Russia's information warfare London mayor won't respond to Donald Trump Jr.'s tweet: 'Ive been doing more important things' MORE campaigned on a pledge to get tougher on Tehran. And with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee annual conference in Washington next week, we may see this issue once again near the top of the agenda as Congress is expected to introduce a slew of new initiatives.
For all the divisions, today it is on Iran policy that Congress can lead, joining forces across parties and even with the new administration.
A Congressional approach to Iran should include several core components.
First, legislators should signal their intent to carefully oversee compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Members disagreed bitterly about the wisdom and terms of the agreement, but a consensus is emerging both on Capitol Hill and in the Trump administration that the best course now is to vigorously enforce the deal and hold Iran to account for any violations.
Tillerson: '"I didn't want this job" https://t.co/V14UHlvCKM pic.twitter.com/abNW61Pcwo
Efforts to enforce the agreement should include establishing a bipartisan Congressional panel to oversee JCPOA implementation, ensuring the State Department office responsible for overseeing the agreement remains in place, and holding hearings that will keep the issue on the broader foreign policy agenda. Congress should also deter Iran from cheating by raising the costs of potential violations. This means outlining tough new sanctions, beyond reinstating the previous ones, that would only be triggered if the agreement collapses.
Second, Congress should encourage a new campaign of military and intelligence actions, weapons interdiction, law enforcement activity, and sanctions to blunt Iranian support for surrogates in the Middle East. Limited, low visibility action directed at the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Qods Force and other proxies combined with clear messages about Americas willingness to push back against them can help blunt the expansion of Iranian influence in countries like Iraq, Syria and Yemen.
Third, Congress should push the new administration to improve ties with Arab Gulf partners and approve weapons sales and other forms of cooperation with them. The emphasis should be on special operations and low intensity conflict, which is the real challenge Iran poses to them.
"Iran is testing President Trump: Heres what he should do." https://t.co/JzCMsjv9kl pic.twitter.com/1GYtYC276f
The United States should look at establishing a multinational task force with our Gulf partners that would deepen intelligence sharing, training, exercises and joint operations that could be employed as necessary against targets including Iranian proxies, ISIS, and al Qaeda.
Fourth, Congress can promote deeper military and intelligence cooperation with Israel to counter the Iranian challenge. The Israelis intelligence resources are particularly useful, and a high level dialogue should aim to monitor Irans nuclear program while jointly planning for scenarios in which Iran violates the JCPOA. Helping Israel to counter the threat posed on its northern border by Hezbollah should represent another element of this effort.
Finally, Congress can offer leadership on maintaining diplomatic and people-to-people contacts between Iran and the United States. Former Secretary of State John KerryJohn KerryCongress, Trump need a united front to face down Iran One year ago today we declared ISIS atrocities as genocide Trumps realism toward Iran is stabilizing force for Middle East MORE and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif were able to establish a consistent high level communication channel between Iran and the United States for the first time since the Islamic Revolution. Members of Congress can keep that dialogue going by continuing quiet meetings with Iranian counterparts, as many have done in the past.
Importantly, they should also support programs that deepen educational and civil society contacts between Americans and Iranians as well as broadcasting and other information efforts.
By pressing this agenda, Congress can simultaneously send three messages. To Iran, it would signal resolve and a willingness to help Americas friends as they strive to limit Tehrans malign activities in the Middle East. To the Trump administration, it would demonstrate that there are areas in which the legislature and executive can find common ground. And to the American people, it would suggest that Republicans and Democrats can come together around a key foreign policy priority, even in todays divided Congress.
The challenge Iran poses, both to American interests and to what remains of the Middle East order, is urgent. To let it fall prey to partisan bickering would harm our national security. It would also represent a missed opportunity.
Congressional leadership on Iran policy could give both parties and both the legislative and executive branch a political win at a moment when all could use it. Better to face Tehran with a unified front than allow our divisions to create opportunities for it.
Richard Fontaine is the President of the Center for a New American Security where Elizabeth Rosenberg directs the Energy Economics and Security Program and Ilan Goldenberg directs the Middle East Security Program.
The views of contributors are their own and not the views of The Hill.
Follow this link:
Congress, Trump need a united front to face down Iran - The Hill (blog)
- Iran Signals Openness to Limited Nuclear Talks With U.S. - The New York Times - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Opinion | Iran Is Weak. Will Trump Be Strong? - The Wall Street Journal - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Trump Administration Highlights: Trump Asks Iran to Open Nuclear Talks - The New York Times - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Sweden warns of increasing security threats from Iran - - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Egypt and Iran: Benefits and Constraints - The Media Line - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Iran says it is open to talks about concerns about militarization of its nuclear program - The Associated Press - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Bluffs, uncertainty, and threat of war shape Iran's debate on US talks - - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Iran holds joint naval drill with Russia, China after rejecting US talks on nuclear program - The Jerusalem Post - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Kremlin, asked if it consulted Iran over Trump's nuclear letter, says Tehran makes its own decisions - Reuters - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Iran would consider talks with US about concerns over militarization of nuclear program, UN mission says - Reuters - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Iran: To Talk or Not To Talk That Is the Question - The Media Line - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Two men face US trial over Iran-backed plot to kill dissident - Reuters - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- US ends sanctions waiver for Iraq to buy electricity from Iran - Al Jazeera English - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Veils and freedom: An Iranian perspective on Women's Day | Iran International - - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Trump wrote to Iran's leader about that country's nuclear program and expects results 'very soon' - The Associated Press - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Exclusive: US mulls plan to disrupt Iran's oil by halting vessels at sea - Reuters - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Russia may prove to be a spoiler in US-Iran nuclear mediation - - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Iran says will not be bullied into nuclear talks with US, has not received letter from Trump - FRANCE 24 English - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Atomic Detectives Who Inspect Iran Sites Are Affected by Trumps Aid Freeze - The New York Times - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Iran We Will Not Negotiate With U.S. Under "Pressure and Intimidation" - OilPrice.com - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Iran, Russia and China to hold joint naval exercises this week - The Times of Israel - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- U.S. will collapse Iran's economy by shutting down its oil industry, Treasury secretary says - CNBC - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- US Ends Waiver Allowing Iraq to Buy Electricity From Iran - Bloomberg - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- In likely message to Iran, Israeli and US air forces carry out joint drill with heavy bomber - The Times of Israel - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- U.S. foreign aid cuts threaten to choke off information from Iran - The Washington Post - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- US air drills with Israel signal hard line on Iran but door still open to a deal - Middle East Eye - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- U.S. Conducts Bomber Task Force Mission as Iran Threat Looms - Foundation for Defense of Democracies - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- He Sang in Praise of Women Exposing Their Hair. Iran Flogged Him. - The New York Times - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- Will Israel and the United States Diverge on Iran? - War On The Rocks - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- Exclusive: Russian missile experts flew to Iran amid clashes with Israel - Reuters - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- Russia seeks to serve as mediator between US and Iran - Reuters - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- Russia agrees to help Trump communicate with Iran on nuclear issue, Bloomberg reports - Reuters - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- Kremlin says Iran's nuclear programme will be subject of future Russia-US talks - Reuters - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- Iran refutes 'accusations' that Tehran is trying to threaten British security - Reuters - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- US Wont Hesitate on Russia and Iran Sanctions, Bessent Says - Bloomberg - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- Russia, Iran, China and N. Korea Bond is "Global Problem", Says Trump Envoy - Newsweek - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- Time running out: What we know about how Israel could strike Iran - Israel Hayom - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- Putin Spokesman Confirms Russian Offer to Mediate Between U.S. and Iran Over Iranian Nuclear Program - Foundation for Defense of Democracies - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- Russia 'agreed' to broker talks between Iran and the US: Report - Middle East Eye - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- Turkey-Iran tensions soar over Tehran's ties with Syrian Kurds - Middle East Eye - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- Putin Agrees to Help Trump Broker Nuclear Talks With Iran - Bloomberg - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- Suspected Iran-backed hackers target UAE with newly discovered 'Sosano' malware - The Record from Recorded Future News - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- Iranians outraged as Turkey warns action in Syria will boomerang for Iran - Amwaj.media - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- Netanyahu thanks Trump for weapon support to 'finish the job' against Iran axis - FRANCE 24 English - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- Iran Responds to Accusations of Threatening NATO Ally - Newsweek - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- Iran confirms its nuclear programme was discussed by US and Russia - Euronews - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- Treasury Secretary Warns US to Bankrupt Iran in 'Updated Sanctions' Policy - Newsweek - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- Pentagon deploys more B-52 bombers to Middle East in warning to Iran - Al-Monitor - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- IDF chief Zamir declares 2025 a year of war on Gaza and Iran - The Jerusalem Post - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- Putin Agrees to Help Trump Broker U.S.-Iran Nuclear Talks Bloomberg - The Moscow Times - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- Russia and US to discuss Iran nuclear issue, Moscow says | Iran International - - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- Putin Agrees to Help Broker Talks Between Trump and Iran: Reports - Newsweek - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- Retired US military leaders support letting Israel 'finish the job' against Iran, proxies - Fox News - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- Iran openly boasts of Gaza aid deliveries amid Israels withdrawal - Ynetnews - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
- Why is Iran urging Qatar to release $6B in frozen oil payments? - Al-Monitor - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
- Iranians protest soaring prices and worsening economic crisis | Iran International - - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
- Will US-Russia rapprochement increase odds of Israel striking Iran? - Al-Monitor - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
- Trump: Iran, scared and with defenses pretty much gone, will make nuclear deal with US - The Times of Israel - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Trump Pushes Iran's Economy to the Brink - Newsweek - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Trumps Grand Bargain With Iran Shouldnt Abandon Its People - Foreign Policy - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Iran loosens import restrictions on foreign cars and iPhones, trying to mask its economic woes - ABC News - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- VOA Persian: With no new nuclear deal, Iran to remain under maximum pressure, US says - Voice of America - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Iran loosens import restrictions on foreign cars and iPhones, trying to mask its economic woes - The Associated Press - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Trump says a 'very frightened and nervous' Iran longs for a deal with US | Iran International - - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Iran and Turkmenistan Strengthen Energy, Trade Ties - The Media Line - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- What should a new deal with Iran look like? - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Trump updates Iran peace deal effort to reflect new realities, analysts say - Voice of America - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Opinion | China on edge after Trump makes overtures to North Korea and Iran - South China Morning Post - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Memorandum on Imposing Maximum Pressure on the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Denying Iran All Paths to a Nuclear Weapon, and Countering... - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- AmEx closed 30 accounts potentially tied to Iran's government - Reuters - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Trump says he prefers nuclear deal with Iran than bombing the hell out of it - The Times of Israel - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Iran Makes Threat Over Key World Oil Supply Route - Newsweek - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Iran: Strengthening relations with Saudi Arabia is irreversible - Middle East Monitor - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- 46 Years of tyranny: How Iran's Islamic Revolution betrayed its promises - opinion - The Jerusalem Post - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Iran says its ready to negotiate with US, but not under maximum pressure policy - The Times of Israel - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Trump used decoy plane over fears of assassination by Iran - The Times - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Trump: 'I would like a deal done with Iran' rather than 'bombing the hell out of it' - The Jerusalem Post - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Trump says without Iran deal US could 'bomb the hell out of it' - Israel Hayom - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Maximum pressure on Iran will boost mainstream VLCC demand, broker BRS says - Lloyd's List - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- US vows to keep up Iran pressure if no will shown for deal | Iran International - - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]