Janelle Irwin Taylor
Pinellas County U.S. Rep David Jolly reacted to news Wednesday that for a second day in a row Iran has test-fired ballistic missiles capable of reaching Israel, its archenemy and the U.S.’s strongest ally in the Middle East.
The two missiles fired Wednesday are said to be capable of reaching about 1,250 miles, plenty of distance to reach Tel Aviv. Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency issued unsubstantiated claims that the missiles were inscribed with the words “Israel should be wiped from the pages of history” in Hebrew.
“Iran needs to know that a threat to Israel is also a direct threat to the United States, and today’s actions represent a historic escalation in the terror regime’s international aggression. As a nation we must stand united with Israel and show unwavering support for our closest ally in the Middle East,” Jolly wrote in a statement.
U.S. officials had already threatened to bring the matter up with the UN Security Council after missiles were test fired Tuesday. Officials have also hinted at increasing sanctions against the nation.
However, despite response from the Obama administration the test launches are drawing increased attention from critics of Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran, including Jolly.
“The test-firing of a missile marked with the words ‘Israel should be wiped from the pages of history’ calls for further isolation of Iran by the international community and should be universally condemned. These actions further underscore why the President has been dreadfully wrong on his policy toward Israel and Iran, and likewise underscores why I refused to support the President’s decision to negotiate with Iran, a regime that is an active and direct threat to the U.S. and Israel. Ultimately, the President’s agreement is proving disastrous to peace and has only served to facilitate a pathway to a nuclear Iran,” Jolly said.
According to Reuters, the U.S. imposed sanctions against individuals and businesses earlier this year amid missile tests that occurred in October, however, Iran’s military force said it would not bow to pressure.
“The more sanctions and pressure our enemies apply … the more we will develop our missile program,” Brig. Gen.Amir Ali Hajizadeh said on state television.
