STATEMENT: Gottheimer Statement on Israel Striking Iran

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, June 13, 2025, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) released the following statement on Israel striking Iran:

“I am closely monitoring the situation unfolding in Iran following Israel’s preemptive strikes. These strikes are an act of self-defense, and they follow decades of IAEA-confirmed violations by Iran of its nonproliferation agreements. 

Let me be clear: Iran is the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism and poses an existential threat to our key democratic ally, Israel. Iran has long funded terrorist proxies that have targeted and killed Americans, and targeted our service members, military bases, and ships.

The regime supported Hamas’ unprovoked October 7 terrorist attack, which resulted in the massacre of more than a thousand men, women, and children and the kidnapping of 251 people — 12 of them Americans. Since then, Iran has continued to fund and arm terrorist groups including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. Last year, Iran launched two unprecedented missile and drone strikes targeting Israel.

If successful, these strikes will degrade — if not eliminate — Iran’s nuclear capabilities that are a direct threat to democracy and freedom, not just in the region, but around the world. 

The White House must ensure the safety of American civilians, diplomats, and service members in the Middle East. The United States must stand firmly with Israel — providing her everything she needs to defend herself in the days to come. 

We must ensure Iran has no pathway to a nuclear weapon and that its sponsorship of global terror is brought to an end. Full stop.”

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