RELEASE: Gottheimer Leads 31 Bipartisan Members in a Letter Requesting Classified Briefing on Iranian Influence in Anti-Israel Protests

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) led a bipartisan letter signed by thirty-one bipartisan Members of Congress to Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, requesting a classified briefing on her statement that the Iranian government promoted and encouraged anti-Israel protests.

The signatory list of thirty-one bipartisan Members of Congress includes Reps. Gottheimer (NJ-5), Allred (TX-32), Auchincloss (MA-4), Bacon (NE-2) Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Costa (CA-21), Davis (NC-5), D’Esposito (NY-4), Edwards (NC-11), Frankel (FL-22), Goldman (NY-10), Golden (ME-2) Lawler (NY-17), Lee (NV-3), Manning (NC-6), Meng (NY-6), Moore (UT-1), Moskowitz (FL-23), Peters (CA-50), Schneider (IL-10), Sherman (CA-32), Soto (FL-9), Stevens (MI-11), Suozzi (NY-3), Titus (NV-1), Torres (NY-15), Trone (MD-6), Valadao (CA-22), Veasey (TX-33), and Wasserman Schultz (FL-25).

“As you have noted, Iran is increasingly aggressive in their foreign influence efforts. Iran is already the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, supporting terrorist proxy groups including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, who have targeted America and our allies,” wrote thirty-one bipartisan Members of Congress in a letter to Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines.

The thirty-one members continued, “If there is evidence that Iranian government officials are posing as activists online to encourage and financially support protests and protesters, it is vital that Congress is apprised of these specific threats. We look forward to a classified briefing.” 

Full text of the letter sent to Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines can be found here and below:

July 24, 2024

The Honorable Avril Haines

Director of National Intelligence

2201 C St. NW 

Washington, D.C. 20511

Dear Director Haines:

In response to your office’s July 9 statement regarding the Iranian government’s recent influence efforts to promote and encourage anti-Israel protests, we respectfully request a classified briefing for all members of Congress.

As you have noted, Iran is increasingly aggressive in their foreign influence efforts. Iran is already the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, supporting terrorist proxy groups including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, who have targeted America and our allies. 

If there is evidence that Iranian government officials are posing as activists online to encourage and financially support protests and protesters, it is vital that Congress is apprised of these specific threats. 

We look forward to a classified briefing. 

Sincerely,

Members of Congress

###