As the war between Hamas and Israel intensifies, lawmakers are directing criticism at supporters of Hamas. Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) chided Iran this week during a congressional briefing, warning of the threat it poses for its human rights violations.
In speaking at the Organization of Iranian-American Communities congressional briefing on Iranian policy, Rep. Diaz-Balart “discussed Tehran’s egregious human rights abuses" as well as its "support for international terrorism.”
As part of a 2022 report on human rights practices from the U.S. Department of State, human rights abuses perpetrated by Tehran, the capital city of Iran, include “torture, forced disappearances, and acts of violence against protesters and bystanders at public demonstrations.”
Proclaiming that “it is absurd that the terrorist state of Iran, which ruthlessly suppresses its own people, will be the next Vice Presidency of the UN General Assembly,” Rep. Diaz-Balart warned that “under the Biden administration’s reckless foreign policy, including multibillion dollar sanctions relief to the mullahs, Iran, and its proxies such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis have been emboldened to attack U.S. targets and expand terrorist activities.”
In response to the actions that Iran has taken, Rep. Diaz-Balart explained that his “State, Foreign Operations appropriations bill includes no funds for the UN and strictly prohibits any U.S. funding to the terrorist state of Iran, its proxies, and even those who help to evade sanctions,”
Diaz-Balart went on to affirm that the United States has a responsibility to “stand in solidarity with the courageous Iranian people by enforcing robust sanctions against their oppressors, and hinder Iran’s ability to inflict further violence around the world.”
During a speech at the United Nations in Geneva, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian called Hamas a freedom movement, sharing that "Israel and the United States will never be able to eliminate Hamas." Minister Amirabdollahian proposed that Israel should secure the release of hostages through a political solution.
