Bill Will Deter Iran and Protect Israel with “Bunker Buster” Munitions

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, March 18, 2022, U.S. Representatives Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) and Brian Mast (FL-18) introduced the bipartisan Bunker Buster Bill (H.R.7148), to authorize the President to protect Israel with the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bomb capable of taking out Iran’s underground nuclear infrastructure. The bill’s introduction comes as reports indicate that the Vienna negotiations for a nuclear agreement with Iran are nearing conclusion.

The bipartisan Bunker Buster Bill will:

• Ensure the U.S. will continue to support Israel’s security as Iran increases nuclear enrichment;
• Require the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to consult with Israel and report to Congress on Israel’s capability to deter a full range of threats, including whether transferring “bunker buster” munitions capable of taking out Iran’s underground nuclear infrastructure would advance both countries’ security; and,
• Preserve Israel’s qualitative military edge in the region while reaffirming the credibility of the U.S. military to deter Iran. 

“We must prepare for the serious threat of a nuclear-armed Iran when key provisions of the deal expire. That’s why I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill to defend Israel from Iran and Hezbollah, and reinforce our ally’s qualitative military edge in the region with ‘bunker buster’ munitions. Iran and its terrorist proxies across the region must never be able to threaten the U.S. or Israel with a nuclear weapon,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Truly, there should be nothing partisan about our national security, nor our relationship with our ally Israel.”

“Since the radical Islamists took over in 1979, the Iran regime’s goal has been destroying the Jewish homeland, Israel. We cannot sit silent while they continue trying to wipe Israel off the map. That’s why Congressman Gottheimer and I are working together to pass the Bunker Buster Act. Israel must have the tools it needs to protect its people against Iranian aggression,” said Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18). 

Just this past week, Iran launched a barrage of missiles nearby the U.S. consulate in Iraq, all while supposedly negotiating in good faith for a new nuclear agreement. Our historic and democratic ally Israel must have the tools to protect itself against Iran’s aggression.

Experts including General David Petraeus (Ret) and former ambassador Dennis Ross have supported providing “bunker buster” munitions to Israel as one way to “put some teeth into the nuclear deal with Iran.” 

Additionally, Reps. Gottheimer and Mast introduced the Hamas International Terrorism Support Prevention Act in June 2021 to strengthen the United States’ ability to stop the revenue source of terrorists funded by Iran. 

The full text of the bill can be found here. 

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