Will Examine Tehran’s ongoing Efforts to Destabilize Middle East

#NoNuclearIran

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, announced that on Wednesday, July 16 the Committee will convene its latest in a series of hearings on the Iranian regime’s pursuit of nuclear weapons and the Obama Administration’s ongoing nuclear negotiations with Tehran.  At the hearing, the Committee will examine Iran’s ongoing efforts to destabilize the Middle East region.  The hearing, entitled “Iran’s Destabilizing Role in the Middle East,” will begin at 10:00 a.m.

Chairman Royce on the hearing:  “Iran’s support for terrorism has empowered Hezbollah, propped up Assad in Syria, killed American troops in Iraq and created havoc on Israel’s border.  Iran has even attempted to carry out a terrorist attack on US soil.  Such a regime that continues to threaten the U.S. homeland, our allies, and our interests must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.  At this hearing, the Committee will examine Iran’s ongoing efforts to destabilize the region and what the United States should be doing to counter Tehran’s efforts.”

Under Chairman Royce’s leadership, the Committee has focused on preventing a nuclear Iran.  Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Eliot Engel (D-NY) are the authors of H.R. 850, the Nuclear Iran Prevention Act, which increases pressure on the Iranian regime amid its continued attempt to acquire a nuclear weapons capability.  Last month, the Committee convened a hearings on Iran to examine how the United States and international community can best verify Iran’s compliance with its nuclear commitments.  This week, 342 House Members joined Royce and Engel to call on President Obama to consult Congress on Iran nuclear negotiations.

What:
Hearing:  Iran’s Destabilizing Role in the Middle East

When:
10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 16

Where:
2172 Rayburn House Office Building

Witnesses:
Mr. Scott Modell
Senior Associate
Burke Chair in Strategy
Center for Strategic and International Studies

Mr. Ray Takeyh
Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies
Middle East Program
Council on Foreign Relations

Natan B. Sachs, Ph.D.
Fellow
Saban Center for Middle East Policy
The Brookings Institution

###