Iran

Floor Speech

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Mr. STUTZMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is very clear that we cannot trust the tyrannical regime in Iran. For many years, our own State Department has determined that Iran is one of the world's leading state sponsors of terrorism.

As Prime Minister Netanyahu reminded us yesterday, the Iranian Government has consistently called for the destruction of Israel and has referred to the United States as the ``Great Satan.'' Does this sound like a negotiating partner that we can trust?

If anyone is unwilling to acknowledge their support for terror groups like Hezbollah or their hateful words toward America and Israel, then consider how this regime acts toward its own people. They stifle dissent by restricting the most basic political freedoms within their borders--the freedoms of speech, assembly, and press. They often jail opposition leaders and journalists and hold them without cause.

If Iran wants to be considered a legitimate power, they should stop arming and aiding terror groups and open up their political system to prove to the world that they are committed to freedom and peace. They can start by releasing all political prisoners, including Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, who has been unjustly imprisoned for over 200 days. These steps should be taken before the U.S. continues to negotiate any nuclear deal.

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