WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA), lead Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement in response to Iran testing its most advanced missiles capable of reaching Israel and Europe:
“With Iran’s barrage of short and longer-range missile launches over the weekend, which immediately followed revelations of a covert nuclear facility, Tehran gave us yet another reason to believe its ballistic missile and nuclear programs pose a grave threat to regional and international security. The trends are clear. Tehran continues to: covertly acquire nuclear weapons capability; build longer-range and more capable ballistic missiles; acquire missiles from countries such as North Korea; funnel weaponry to terrorist groups; and suppress its own people.
“Despite these continued trends, the Obama Administration was confident enough in a reduced threat from Iran and assistance from Russia, that it scrapped European missile defense sites. I do not have such confidence. It’s time for concrete actions, such as immediate and stronger sanctions against Iran; robust funding for missile defense so that we have defenses in place before 2018 or 2020, unlike the Administration’s plan; and an Iran containment strategy, working with the international community, to deter Iran and assure our allies and friends.”
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