Iran Concerns

Sens. Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) wrote to President Obama this week to ask how the administration plans to respond to Iran's most recent ballistic missile test.

On Nov. 21, Iran conducted a test of a ballistic missile with a reported range of 1,200 miles, enabling that country to strike Israel and Eastern Europe.

In their letter, the senators write:

"While your administration has attempted to treat Iran's ballistic missile program as separate from Iran's nuclear program, this approach does not withstand scrutiny -- as [Director of National Intelligence James] Clapper's testimony makes clear. Iran is developing ICBM capabilities and the sole purpose of an Iranian ICBM is to enable delivery of a nuclear weapon to the United States. Perhaps that is one of the reasons why former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey, testified that '. . . under no circumstances should we relieve pressure on Iran relative to ballistic missile capabilities.' Unfortunately, that is exactly one of the things that the Iran deal will accomplish."

The senators reiterated their concern that Iran's behavior demonstrates that the country will not abide by the commitments under the Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).