As a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee and Utah’s sole representation on an armed services committee, Rep. Rob Bishop (UT-01) attended a classified briefing which covered America’s current confrontations with the Islamic Republic of Iran.
In the classified setting, Under Secretary of Defense John Rood discussed recent Iranian activity in the Middle East region, U.S. responses, policy, and intelligence. Also participating in the briefing were Defense Intelligence Agency and Joint Staff representatives.
Following the briefing, Rep. Bishop offered this unclassified statement:
“The threat posed by Iran is real. The antagonistic acts of aggression out of Tehran are unacceptable and present a clear danger. Recent economic sanctions imposed by the Trump administration are aimed at diminishing Iran’s nuclear ambitions and confrontational behavior in the region.
“While armed conflict must be an absolute last resort, should Iran fail to comply, it is critical that the U.S. stand ready to face any further provocative actions. With a recent Middle Eastern deployment of F-35s from Utah’s 388th & 419th Fighter Wings, it is heartening to know that should any need arise, there are Utahns ready to defend.”
