Iran and its terrorist proxies continue to threaten the United States, including assassination attempts against American leaders and residents, according to Wednesday’s House Committee on Homeland Security hearing.
“The security threats posed by Iran and its proxies are further escalating. “External terrorist activity in Europe and South America that includes disruption, endangering maritime security in the Red Sea, and attempts to coordinate,” Chairman Mark Green, a Tennessee Republican, said at the hearing. .
The committee held a hearing Wednesday morning entitled “Considering the Current Status of Iran’s Axis of Resistance and its Implications for Homeland Security and U.S. Interests,” during which lawmakers discussed the “scope and pace of threats posed to the homeland.” I met with four leaders of intelligence agencies to make an assessment. It was carried out by Iranian proxy forces. ”
The hearing took place amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. Hamas terrorists launched attacks on the country on October 7. Hamas and Hezbollah leaders said Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had been cooperating with Hamas since August on plans for air, land and sea attacks.
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Congressman Mark Green during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on January 10, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Graham Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Witnesses Wednesday included Robert Wells, deputy director of the FBI’s counterterrorism division.james dunlap,dAssistant Secretary for Analysis, Office of Intelligence and Analysis, Department of Homeland Security;carrie thompson, Director of Information at DEA. and Elizabeth Richard, who is the State Department’s counterterrorism coordinator and holds the rank and title of Grand Ambassador.
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Greene said at the hearing that Iran has an extensive list of proxy organizations known as the “Iranian Axis of Resistance,” which are independent militias that Iran “uses to consolidate its power.” He said that he is running the. Greene identified the terrorist organizations as Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and other militias in Iraq and Syria.
“These proxies and their sympathizers are present in countries such as Lebanon, Iran, Yemen, Iraq, and Syria. In exchange for the support and actions of these groups, they receive significant financial and material support from the Iranian regime. They are receiving comprehensive support and training.” .
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei attended a meeting in Tehran, Iran, on November 1st. (Office of the Supreme Leader of Iran, via AP)
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Wells specifically emphasized that Hezbollah could carry out attacks within the United States.
“The FBI remains concerned that Iran’s major strategic partner, Hezbollah, may conduct retaliatory attacks against former U.S. officials not only abroad but also within the United States,” Wells said. Ta.
“Since its inception in 1982, Hezbollah has been involved in numerous anti-American terrorist attacks.Historically, Hezbollah has sent operatives to build terrorist infrastructure around the world, and continues to conduct intelligence gathering, financial operations, and more. , likely to conduct procurement activities. In summary, the threat posed by Iran and its proxies remains persistent, and the FBI continues to work with partners to ensure protection of the American people and U.S. interests at home and abroad. ” he added.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Dunlap emphasized that Iranian-backed organizations target the United States and its infrastructure using a variety of tactics, including cyber espionage.
“Iranian government cyber attackers employ a variety of tactics, techniques, and procedures, including social engineering, use easily accessible scanning and computer hacking tools, and use publicly known software and hardware. vulnerabilities to conduct cyber espionage targeting the U.S. government and defense industry and disrupt critical infrastructure,” Dunlap said.
Rep. Mark Green speaks during a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on March 8, 2023, at the Capitol. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)
“Iran continues to carry out domestic and cross-border repression against dissident critics. Tactics used in the past to target dissidents include assassination attempts, digital threats and harassment, Iran has targeted Iranian dissidents, including intimidation, spyware, and illegal detention.The United States will crush the protests and call for social and political reform in Iran.”
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Dunlap pointed to a murder-for-hire plot in 2020 in which two Canadians and an Iranian allegedly conspired to kill two Maryland residents. The three were indicted by the Justice Department this year.
“Iran remains a major state sponsor of terrorism and will continue its efforts to advance conspiracies against individuals in the United States. Specifically, Iran continues to engage current and former U.S. Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force, alleges that he intends to plan attacks against government officials,” Dunlap said. “Iran typically relies on individuals with advance access to the United States for surveillance and lethal plots. Historically, it has used all its citizens, members of criminal networks, and private investigators in conspiracy attempts and There is no need for employees to travel overseas.
The Iranian flag is flown at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) headquarters in Vienna, Austria. (Michael Gruber/Getty Images)
In his opening remarks, Wells added that former U.S. officials, including Trump’s national security adviser John Bolton, have faced Iranian-backed assassination attempts on U.S. soil.
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“In 2023, three members of an Eastern European criminal organization were charged with plotting to kill an American citizen who was targeted by the Iranian government for speaking out against the Iranian regime’s human rights abuses. Victims was targeted for exercising his rights, which all American citizens have,” Wells said of another planned assassination attempt.
