House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is calling on President Biden to lift any existing restrictions on U.S. lethal assistance to Israel and expedite the release of previously withheld aid, following an attack on an American military base in Iraq.
“With the ongoing threats from Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran against Israel, and after multiple assaults on American forces in the area, the U.S. must not hesitate in its duty to protect our servicemen and women and our allies,” Johnson stated on Tuesday morning.
“Any aggression from Iran toward Israel or U.S. interests would be unwarranted and met with strong retaliation. It is essential for America and its partners in the region to unite in countering Iran and its terrorist affiliates to deliver a firm warning against such hostile actions.”
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Speaker Mike Johnson is urging President Biden to enhance support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s campaign against Hamas. (Getty Images)
Johnson indicated that the provocations from Tehran have been a result of “a prolonged pressure campaign against Israel by the Biden-Harris Administration.”
“It is crucial for the White House to acknowledge that their decisions have led us to this precarious situation and provide unequivocal support to Israel. President Biden must promptly authorize the release of all previously delayed and stalled weapon shipments to Israel — empowering it to safeguard its citizens and deter any Iranian actions — and clearly communicate that any attack or support for attacks from Iran will incur significant economic, military, and international consequences,” the Louisiana Republican expressed.
This statement follows an incident where an Iran-aligned militia launched rockets at Al-Asad Airbase in Iraq on Monday, injuring several U.S. personnel, according to defense officials talking to Fox News.
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The Ain al-Asad military airbase shown on January 13, 2020. (AYMAN HENNA/AFP via Getty Images)
Rising tensions across the Middle East are at a boiling point, particularly following Iranian threats of retaliation over the suspected Israeli assassination of Hamas’ senior political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last month.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin addressed the Iraqi air base attack in a phone conversation with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
“Secretary Austin and Minister Gallant concurred that the attack by Iran-backed militia on U.S. forces at Al-Asad Airbase in western Iraq represents a serious escalation and underscores Iran’s destabilizing influence in the area. Secretary Austin updated Minister Gallant on efforts to fortify U.S. military readiness in response to this escalating situation,” stated Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder on Monday.
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Meanwhile, Biden’s critics from the Republican Party have charged that his administration’s insufficient support for Israel has exacerbated tensions in the Middle East as the nation undertakes its campaign in Gaza aimed at dismantling Hamas.
In June, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the Biden administration of withholding vital lethal support for his military.
Hamas has declared Ismail Haniyeh a “martyr” following his death in Tehran.
The administration reportedly halted a shipment of bombs to Israel in May, and Biden indicated during a CNN interview that further shipments could be paused.
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“I made it clear that if they venture into Rafah – and they haven’t done it yet – if they proceed into Rafah, I won’t authorize weapons that are traditionally used to address issues in Rafah or in those cities,” Biden stated.
As of late last month, U.S. authorities were still withholding a shipment of 2,000 lb bombs to Israel, as reported by Ryder during a Pentagon press briefing.
Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comments.
