{"id":324050,"date":"2024-09-14T17:31:40","date_gmt":"2024-09-14T16:31:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/?p=324050"},"modified":"2024-09-14T17:31:40","modified_gmt":"2024-09-14T16:31:40","slug":"u-s-congress-hosts-bipartisan-conference-on-iran-former-officials-and-lawmakers-call-for-new-strategy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/news\/iran-resistance\/u-s-congress-hosts-bipartisan-conference-on-iran-former-officials-and-lawmakers-call-for-new-strategy\/","title":{"rendered":"U.S. Congress Hosts Bipartisan Conference on Iran: Former Officials and Lawmakers Call for New Strategy"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-324051\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/OIAC-conference-at-the-US-Congress.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/OIAC-conference-at-the-US-Congress.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/OIAC-conference-at-the-US-Congress-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/OIAC-conference-at-the-US-Congress-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/OIAC-conference-at-the-US-Congress-560x420.jpg 560w, https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/OIAC-conference-at-the-US-Congress-80x60.jpg 80w, https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/OIAC-conference-at-the-US-Congress-160x120.jpg 160w, https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/OIAC-conference-at-the-US-Congress-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/OIAC-conference-at-the-US-Congress-696x522.jpg 696w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">On September 10, 2024, the U.S. Congress hosted a conference titled &#8220;Iran: Confronting the Threat and Securing a Solution,&#8221; bringing together prominent figures from both political parties and distinguished former U.S. military commanders. The event featured speeches from several key figures, including Congressman Tom McClintock, a Republican member of the House Judiciary Committee; Congresswoman Nancy Mace, a Republican member of the House Armed Services Committee; and Congressman Brad Sherman, a senior Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Also participating were General James Jones, former National Security Advisor and former NATO Commander; Ambassador Lincoln Bloomfield Jr., former Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs; General Tod Wolters, former NATO Commander and Commander of U.S. Forces in Europe (2019-2022); and General Keith Kellogg, former National Security Advisor to Vice President Mike Pence.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The conference focused on the growing threats posed by the clerical regime in Iran, the role of the organized resistance, and the need for a bipartisan approach to U.S. policy toward Iran.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In his opening address, <strong>General James Jones<\/strong> emphasized the importance of a strategic shift in U.S. policy toward Iran, particularly concerning the organized resistance represented by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/pmoi-mek\/\">People&#8217;s Mojahedin Organization of Iran<\/a> (PMOI\/MEK). General Jones spoke of the global challenge of autocracies versus democracies, framing the &#8220;eventual democratization of Iran&#8221; as a critical element of this struggle.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gen. Jones praised the leadership of the NCRI and its President-elect, Maryam Rajavi, calling their efforts &#8220;Jeffersonian democracy for the future of Iran.&#8221; He also highlighted the problematic history of U.S. administrations labeling the MEK as a terrorist organization to appease the Iranian regime, despite the lack of factual basis. &#8220;Appeasement is not a strategy,&#8221; he argued, pointing out that this approach has repeatedly failed to yield constructive results with Tehran. He urged the next U.S. administration to reexamine its policies based on &#8220;truth and facts,&#8221; as presented by Ambassador Lincoln Bloomfield, who has extensively documented the true history of the NCRI and MEK.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The former US National Security Advisor also stressed the need for greater international solidarity, citing the growing rejection of appeasement by European leaders, as highlighted in recent forums. He warned of the broader implications of failing to act against Iran, including the formation of a dangerous alliance between autocratic powers, which poses a significant threat to global stability.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In his closing remarks, General Jones posed a critical question: &#8220;If the regime were to collapse tomorrow from within, what would we do?&#8221; He emphasized the importance of preparing for such an eventuality, underscoring the need for a clear and decisive strategy to support a democratic transition in Iran.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">H. Res. 100 has 243 bipartisan co-sponsors &#8211; a clear majority of the House of Representatives. It expresses our united support for the Iranian people in their struggle for a democratic, secular, and non-nuclear Republic of Iran. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/1IT9Xy0TdP\">pic.twitter.com\/1IT9Xy0TdP<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Tom McClintock (@RepMcClintock) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RepMcClintock\/status\/1833613792657219871?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 10, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In his remarks, Ambassador Lincoln Bloomfield Jr. called on U.S. leaders to confront critical global threats while reassessing outdated perspectives on Iran, its regime, and the country\u2019s organized opposition. He also highlighted the dangers posed by geopolitical conflicts in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, emphasizing that the United States, as a global superpower, must be grounded in facts when forming foreign policy.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cI want to make sure that we know the right facts about Iran,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s been difficult&#8230; I suspected that something wasn\u2019t right about the facts,\u201d Bloomfield continued, expressing concern over how misinformation has shaped U.S. policy on Iran for decades.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Amb. Bloomfield pointed to the divide in understanding Iran\u2019s regime and the role of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and its affiliated groups, mainly the People\u2019s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI\/MEK). Once labeled terrorist organizations, the NCRI and MEK fought protracted legal battles in courts across Europe and North America to be removed from terrorism lists. Amb. Bloomfield explained, &#8220;A little over a decade ago, there were four major court cases contesting the idea that the NCRI, MEK, PMOI was a terrorist group&#8230; All of them were defeated.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">He detailed the strategic miscalculations that led to their inclusion on terrorism lists, noting how Western governments sought to appease Tehran. &#8220;The foreign policy bureaucracy was pushing to keep them on the list because they knew Tehran wanted that and they hoped it would win them some favor,&#8221; he said. However, the courts ruled in favor of the NCRI, recognizing the group\u2019s legitimate resistance to tyranny. &#8220;The French magistrate, concluding an eight-year investigation, said they should never have been on any list.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The former Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs contrasted these actions with earlier U.S. support for the group, noting that figures such as Senator Edward Kennedy, Congressman John McCain, and President-elect Bill Clinton praised the MEK\u2019s leadership for their commitment to human rights. &#8220;There were letters of support to Masoud Rajavi&#8230; Clinton sent a letter to Auvers-Serres, saying, &#8216;We look forward to consulting you as a champion of human rights,'&#8221; Amb. Bloomfield pointed out.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Providing an update on the human rights situation in Iran, Amb. Bloomfield pointed to a recent United Nations report that corroborated the NCRI\u2019s longstanding warnings of atrocities committed by the Iranian regime. &#8220;The United Nations Special Rapporteur&#8230; concluded that between 1979 and 1988, the authorities in the Islamic Republic of Iran waged a widespread and systematic attack against a civilian population&#8230; to exterminate a large part of the political spectrum.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Concluding his speech, Amb. Bloomfield urged Congress to convene a bipartisan policy hearing to reassess U.S. strategy on Iran and to better understand the NCRI\u2019s role as a legitimate opposition movement. He emphasized that the international community has increasingly recognized the NCRI&#8217;s potential to lead a peaceful transition in Iran. &#8220;One hundred twenty-five former presidents and prime ministers, four thousand parliamentarians&#8230; and 75 Nobel laureates have all endorsed Mrs. Rajavi, the NCRI, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/maryam-rajavis-ten-point-plan-for-future-iran\/\">the Ten-Point Plan<\/a>,&#8221; Amb. Bloomfield noted.<\/p>\n<div class=\"lyte-wrapper\" title=\"Amb. Lincoln Bloomfield Addresses Congressional Briefing on U.S. Iran Policy, September 10th, 2024\" style=\"width:853px;max-width:100%;margin:5px;\"><div class=\"lyMe\" id=\"WYL_wZHDgA-JGI0\" itemprop=\"video\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/VideoObject\"><div><meta itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" content=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-youtube-lyte\/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FwZHDgA-JGI0%2Fhqdefault.jpg\" \/><meta itemprop=\"embedURL\" content=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wZHDgA-JGI0\" \/><meta itemprop=\"duration\" content=\"PT20M5S\" \/><meta itemprop=\"uploadDate\" content=\"2024-09-13T02:05:12Z\" \/><\/div><div id=\"lyte_wZHDgA-JGI0\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-youtube-lyte\/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FwZHDgA-JGI0%2Fhqdefault.jpg\" class=\"pL\"><div class=\"tC\"><div class=\"tT\" itemprop=\"name\">Amb. Lincoln Bloomfield Addresses Congressional Briefing on U.S. Iran Policy, September 10th, 2024<\/div><\/div><div class=\"play\"><\/div><div class=\"ctrl\"><div class=\"Lctrl\"><\/div><div class=\"Rctrl\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><noscript><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/wZHDgA-JGI0\" rel=\"nofollow\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-youtube-lyte\/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FwZHDgA-JGI0%2F0.jpg\" alt=\"Amb. Lincoln Bloomfield Addresses Congressional Briefing on U.S. Iran Policy, September 10th, 2024\" width=\"853\" height=\"460\" \/><br \/>Watch this video on YouTube<\/a><\/noscript><meta itemprop=\"description\" content=\"On September 10, 2024, a bipartisan congressional briefing titled \u201cIRAN: Confronting the Threat and Securing a Solution\u201d was held in the U.S. House of Representatives. The event, which brought together prominent members of Congress, military leaders, and national security experts, emphasized the need for a decisive response to Tehran&#039;s destabilizing actions. House members called for support for the Iranian opposition, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), its President-elect, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, and her Ten-Point Plan for the future of Iran. The briefing featured Representatives Tom McClintock (R-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), and Nancy Mace (R-SC), who highlighted their support for a democratic, secular, non-nuclear republic in Iran and underscored bipartisan efforts in Congress to support this vision. The event\u2019s panel featured prominent military and national security figures who proposed steps for a coordinated response to the threat posed by Tehran. The panel included General James L. Jones (ret.), former U.S. National Security Advisor and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Tod D. Wolters (ret.), former Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg Jr. (ret.), former National Security Advisor to the U.S. Vice President, and Ambassador Lincoln Bloomfield Jr., former Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs. Ambassador Lincoln Bloomfield Jr. challenged the long-standing accusations against the MEK, noting that they were falsely designated a terrorist organization as a political gesture to the Iranian regime in 1997. \u201cAt no time did any national security leader in America have information about terrorism by the MEK,\u201d Bloomfield said. He pointed out that Iran\u2019s regime has obsessively targeted the MEK because of its credibility as the leading opposition. \u201cThere\u2019s been an average of one anti-MEK book per month for 40 years and an average of more than 100 anti-MEK articles from the regime every month over the last 20 years. The regime in Tehran is obsessed with the resistance because there\u2019s no other credible opposition,\u201d Bloomfield added. Ambassador Bloomfield also cited the widespread global support for Mrs. Rajavi\u2019s Ten-point plan, noting that it had been endorsed by 125 former heads of state, 4,000 parliamentarians from legislatures in 40 countries, including 34 majorities and 75 Nobel laureates. \u201cThe numbers of those supporting the NCRI and its Ten-point plan have grown significantly in recent weeks,\u201d he remarked.\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"lL\" style=\"max-width:100%;width:853px;margin:5px;\"><\/div><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg Jr issued a stern warning about the persistent threat posed by Iran. He emphasized that the international community has &#8220;misunderstood&#8221; the nature of the Iranian regime since the 1979 revolution, resulting in misguided policies that have failed to curb Tehran\u2019s ambitions.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">General Kellogg criticized previous U.S. administrations for being overly optimistic, stating, \u201cWe always seem to assume that the Iranian leadership was, in fact, Jefferson Democrats in disguise.\u201d He argued that the failure to recognize Tehran&#8217;s true intentions has put the region and the world in constant peril.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Gen. Kellogg warned of the consequences of allowing the regime to obtain a nuclear weapon, stressing, \u201cIf Iran becomes a nuclear power, that changes the dynamic and totally destabilizes the Middle East.\u201d He urged a more robust international response, including renewed sanctions and, if necessary, military action to prevent Iran from reaching nuclear capability.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Kellogg concluded by calling for a tougher stance from global powers, advocating for increased pressure on the Iranian regime, and supporting dissidents within the country to drive change from within.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">General Tod Wolters stressed the growing danger posed by the Iranian regime. He highlighted its role in destabilizing global security, particularly through its strategic alliances and disinformation campaigns. &#8220;For four and a half decades, this malicious regime has performed masterfully at one thing,&#8221; Wolters warned, &#8220;a strategic disinformation campaign that has found its way to the center of our nation.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Wolters emphasized that the regime is &#8220;an illegitimate government that doesn\u2019t represent its people,&#8221; urging greater public awareness of Tehran&#8217;s longstanding tactics. He called for renewed efforts to counter Iran\u2019s influence by educating the global population on the regime&#8217;s malicious actions, saying, &#8220;The way that we can continue to put one foot in front of the other is to educate the masses with the facts.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The American general also underscored the Iranian regime&#8217;s connections to other rogue states and the critical need to maintain global focus on strategic nuclear deterrence, which he described as a shared threat to international stability.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Happennig now: Bipartisan members of the United States Congress join distinguished former US military generals and national security experts to examine US Iran policy and the role of the Iranian Resistance.  <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RepNancyMace?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@RepNancyMace<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RepMcClintock?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@RepMcClintock<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BradSherman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@BradSherman<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/URpOZn7SG9\">pic.twitter.com\/URpOZn7SG9<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; OIAC: Organization of Iranian American Communities (@OrgIAC) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/OrgIAC\/status\/1833579228765274510?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 10, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA) emphasized the urgent need for a democratic and secular Iran, highlighting the regime\u2019s destructive influence both regionally and globally. Drawing attention to Iran&#8217;s role in supporting terrorist organizations, Rep. Sherman stated, &#8220;We all know what Iran is doing around the world. Many of us know what it is doing to its own people.&#8221; He warned of the significant impact Iran\u2019s support for these groups has on global stability, including disruptions to food supplies in the Red Sea, leading to widespread hunger.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sherman also raised alarms about Iran\u2019s nuclear ambitions, citing recent reports of expanded uranium production. &#8220;For more than three and a half years since Iran stopped implementing the JCPOA, they have been building a stockpile of nuclear and fissile material that has no purpose other than a nuclear weapon,&#8221; he warned.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In praising the NCRI and the <strong>MEK<\/strong>, Sherman reminded the audience of their pivotal role in exposing Iran\u2019s nuclear program in 2002. He also noted the regime&#8217;s relentless targeting of the MEK, stating, &#8220;The Iranian government has done more to go after the MEK than any other project they&#8217;ve had in the world. That tells me you must be doing something right.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Sherman concluded by reaffirming his belief that only a democratic Iran can ensure a nuclear-free, terrorism-free future, adding, &#8220;If we want the world to be safe from terrorism, we need a democratic Iran.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Congressman Tom McClintock (R-CA) urged for greater support for the organized opposition to the Iranian regime, with a specific focus on the NCRI. He emphasized the broad backing the NCRI has received, both within Iran and among U.S. lawmakers. \u201cCongressional support has been manifest in the broad bipartisan sponsorship of House Resolution 100,\u201d McClintock noted, pointing out that the resolution, which endorses the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/maryam-rajavis-ten-point-plan-for-future-iran\/\">NCRI\u2019s Ten-Point Plan<\/a> for Iran\u2019s future, has the backing of 243 members of the House of Representatives.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">McClintock condemned the Iranian regime\u2019s atrocities, stating that the government &#8220;long ago forfeited the support of the Iranian people&#8221; and now rules through terror and murder. He warned that Tehran\u2019s escalating nuclear ambitions and its support for terrorism pose not only a humanitarian crisis but a global security threat. \u201cSupport the Iranian opposition now,\u201d McClintock urged, \u201cor wait until Iran forces a bloody and terrible war upon us all.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The congressman concluded by calling for an end to the policies that have allowed the regime to stay afloat financially, urging the global community to redirect support to the Iranian opposition to bring about meaningful change from within.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Congressman <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RepMcClintock?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@RepMcClintock<\/a> offered opening remarks at the House briefing on US policy towards Iran today. The event included remarks by a number distinguished retired senior US military commanders and national security experts. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/UoC6E7fQSS\">pic.twitter.com\/UoC6E7fQSS<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; OIAC: Organization of Iranian American Communities (@OrgIAC) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/OrgIAC\/status\/1833584435884925288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 10, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) voiced strong support for the Iranian people\u2019s fight for democracy and human rights, emphasizing the importance of global solidarity with those resisting the regime. Reflecting on her experience at the Free Iran 2024 World Summit in Paris, Rep. Mace shared her encounter with political prisoners who had survived the brutal repression of the Iranian regime. \u201cMany of those political prisoners never made it out alive,\u201d she noted, underscoring the gravity of the regime\u2019s actions.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rep. Mace stressed the need for international backing for a democratic and secular Iran, stating, \u201cBy being here today, we condemn the Shah&#8217;s oppressive dictatorship and stand in solidarity with Resistance Units inside Iran, as well as Iranian opposition in Ashraf 3 in Albania.\u201d She urged the free world to support the Iranian people\u2019s pursuit of fundamental rights such as life, liberty, and free expression.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">As a co-sponsor of House Resolution H.Res. 1148, endorsing Maryam <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/maryam-rajavis-ten-point-plan-for-future-iran\/\">Rajavi\u2019s Ten-Point Plan<\/a> for Iran\u2019s future, Rep. Mace also praised the courage of Iranian women, whose protests have \u201cinspired global solidarity and revealed the regime\u2019s oppression.\u201d She concluded by reiterating the importance of global support for a democratic alternative to Iran\u2019s current government.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On September 10, 2024, the U.S. Congress hosted a conference titled &ldquo;Iran: Confronting the Threat and Securing a Solution,&rdquo; bringing together prominent figures from both political parties and distinguished former [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":324051,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[222],"class_list":{"0":"post-324050","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-iran-resistance","8":"tag-iranian-resistance"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - 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