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Chairman Menendez’s Statement on the Bombing in Bulgaria

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today issued the following statement on the announcement by Bulgarian officials that  a comprehensive investigation into the July 18, 2012 terrorist attack on a tour bus in Burgas, Bulgaria has determined that two of the assailants had ties to the military wing of Hezbollah.  The attack resulted in the tragic deaths of five Israeli tourists and their Bulgarian driver.

Iran's support for terrorism is a real threat to the United States and its allies.  Today's findings by the Bulgarian government that Iran and Hezbollah conducted a brazen terrorist attack on European soil reminds us of the seriousness of this threat and represents a significant escalation by Iran and Hezbollah.  We must do all we can to keep the pressure on Iran and isolate it in the international community.  I have worked very closely with our European allies to increase the economic pressure on Iran and will continue to do so through the full implementation of U.S. and multilateral sanctions.  Today I encourage the EU to take immediate action to designate Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.”

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