FRAN PAPPAS: U.S. should be preparing for attacks by Iran

Iran, one of the richest countries in the world, is considered an energy superpower, producing 10% of the world’s proven oil reserves and 15% of its gas reserves. Iranian Americans are among the most highly educated people in the United States, historically having excelled in business, academia, science, the arts and entertainment.

The United States has programmed to extend Iran credits for military equipment and services. Thus far, the U.S. has given Iran approximately $46 million in military aid, and an additional $58 million currently is programmed.

The two Palestinian nationalist political administrative organizations with a military wing comprising Palestinian Arabs of a Sunni-Islamist religion are Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in the West Bank. Hamas, designated a “terrorist organization” by Washington, launched an unprecedented attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Hezbollah began attacking Israel across the southern Lebanese border on Oct. 8 to deter Israel from its war on Gaza. Subsequently Israel has been bracing for a threatened attack to avenge the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July.

In its most recent airstrike, Israel killed Hezbollah’s chief leader, Ibrahim Aqeel, in Beirut. This puts the United States in a delicate position, which involves more than military aid and services to Iran. The strategy for the Biden administration has been to keep this issue on the back-burner and off the president’s desk. It is fair to say that for most of Biden’s time as president, the goal of his top aides hasn’t been to solve this sensitive dilemma.

This escalation is close to war and deeply concerns me. Below I am sharing excerpts of versions of information that have appeared in the Washington Post that strengthen my position:

Recently federal court documents were unsealed revealing that the United States has charged leaders of the Palestinian group Hamas with “terrorism” offenses. Six men, including Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar and lIsmail Haniyeh, were named in the charging document dated Feb. 1. Accused of “conspiracy to provide material support for acts of terrorism resulting in death,” along with six other counts, the documents also requested the arrest of the individuals.

The United States faces a continuing string of reprisal killings to avenge the January 2020 assassination of Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, the head of Iran’s Quds Force who was reportedly plotting attacks on American diplomats, but was caught in the act and killed by a U.S. drone attack.

President Trump and John Bolton, who advised Trump on military affairs, were among those who would be assassinated in revenge.

According to the Justice Department repeated assassination attacks have been conducted without success. On the anniversary of Soleimani’s death, Khamenei said that those who ordered the murder would be punished, brutally. To make an example, one of the alleged hitmen promised that his team would shoot in the head with at least half a clip erasing his head from the victims’ torso. Does that sound familiar?

The latest Iranian counter-assassination scheme was disclosed early in August. This year’s annual threat assessment provided to Congress by the intelligence community noted that Iran was trying to build networks to attack former officials, including Bolton’s successor, Robert O’Brien; attorney Mark Esper, and Frank McKenzie, then the U.S. Central Commander.

The New York Times also reported that Trump himself was a target.

It makes me wonder … what nations are represented in the thousands of illegal immigrants that have crossed our borders? Who are they? How have they been processed?

With two attempts on the life of Trump, doesn’t he require additional security as well as security for all the former officials? Let’s not forget that the United States has always been and remains a target zone for Iran. We listen to Israel preparing for attacks; how are we preparing for possible attacks? Can we emotionally survive another Sept. 11?

It’s time to stop supporting Iran and put America first.