On Saturday night April 13, Iran carried out a massive and unprecedented attack on Israel. The regime launched over 300 missiles and drones from Iranian soil at Israel, the first time Iran has struck at Israel directly from its own territory. This attack was an act of war by Iran against Israel, and a major escalation of Iran’s decades-long campaign of proxy war against the Jewish state.
This attack came despite warnings from the United States and Israel to Iran not to attack, demonstrating that the regime remains undeterred.
Israel, together with the United States and other allies, successfully intercepted most of the Iranian missiles and drones. Now, Israel is considering its response to this major attack. The United States must stand with our ally as it acts to defend itself, work with Israel to deter further attacks, and prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons.
Our work helped keep Israel safe from this unprecedented attack.
This was an unprecedented Iranian attack against Israel. Iran carried out an act of war against the Jewish state and must face severe consequences. America and Israel cannot accept a status quo in which Iran can attack our allies with impunity.
America must continue to stand with Israel as it confronts the Iranian threat. Congress must act urgently to pass a bipartisan bill that includes the $14.3 billion in emergency security assistance for Israel, ensuring the Jewish state has the resources it needs to deter and defeat future attacks. Further delays in this vital aid only serve to embolden Israel’s enemies and undermines Israel’s ability to defend itself.
Congress must also take immediate actions to increase the economic pressure on Iran and ensure it can never acquire a nuclear weapon. Congress must pass the Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum (SHIP) Act (H.R. 3774/S. 1829) to cut off the cashflow to the Iranian regime by imposing sanctions on foreign ports and refineries that process petroleum exported from Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions. The bill passed the House in November 2023 and now awaits action in the Senate.
