BOISE, Idaho – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement on last night’s U.S. airstrikes conducted in Syria:
“As the Iranian regime continues to test American resolve under a new administration, establishing and maintaining credible deterrence is critical. After several unanswered attacks against U.S. interests, I welcome the administration’s decision to authorize airstrikes against Iranian-backed militias operating in eastern Syria.
“We must not allow the Iranian regime to hide behind Iranian-supported militias that pose significant threats to U.S. national security interests. Its recent attacks in Iraq, which killed a private contractor and injured several U.S. contractors and military personnel, serve as another reminder of this danger. Instead, we must continue to hold the Iranian regime responsible for actions that destabilize the region.”
###