Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), senior member of the House Intelligence Committee and Chairman of the Central Intelligence Agency Subcommittee, released the following statement in response to U.S. military operations in Iran, underscoring the grave threat posed by the Iranian regime and the importance of standing with the Iranian people in their pursuit of freedom:

“For decades, the Iranian regime has methodically built a network of terror, proxy militias, missile proliferation, and regional coercion designed to destabilize the Middle East, threaten American interests, and openly calls for the destruction of sovereign nations. It arms and funds Hezbollah, Hamas, and other violent actors, orchestrates attacks against our allies, detains innocent civilians, and brutally suppresses its own people. It remains the world’s foremost state sponsor of terrorism.

In the hands of the Ayatollah, a nuclear weapon would embolden aggression, shield terrorism, and fundamentally alter the security balance of the region and beyond. A nuclear-armed Iran is not an option.

Iran and its proxies are responsible for countless deaths of Americans and our partners. That record is long, deliberate, and undeniable—and it cannot be ignored.  

Of course, our national security posture must always be matched by fidelity to our Constitution at home. Any sustained or expanded military engagement should be done with the advice and consent of Congress. The American people deserve clarity of mission, defined objectives, and disciplined oversight.

We draw a clear distinction between a repressive regime and the people it suppresses. Every human being is born with the inherent right to freedom and self-determination, regardless of where they are born or where they live. That principle is universal. Oppressive and abusive dictators must never be allowed to act with impunity.

We stand with the Iranian people and with Iranian-Americans in their pursuit of liberty and human rights.

We pray for the safety of our service members and for the Iranian people—and we remain steadfast in defending freedom wherever it is threatened.”

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