Omar backs Trump-Israel effort to extend Iran arms embargo, signing AIPAC letter

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) became the first member of “The Sqaud” to sign onto a letter, supported by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), that calls for extending the United Nations arms embargo on Iran that expires in October of this year.

The bipartisan letter backs President Trump and Israel's efforts to extend the international embargo, which expires in roughly five months and is the first sunset provision under the nuclear deal.

The letter was written by Reps. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), Michael McCaul (R-Texas), Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urging him to “pursue increased actions" to extend the embargo.

So far, 387 lawmakers have officially signed the letter, according to an AIPAC list of signatures.

Other members of the so-called Squad of Progressive House Democratic – Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, of New York; Ayanna Pressley, of Massachusetts; and Rashida Tlaib, of Michigan – have not signed on yet.

Last year, Omar faced backlash after tweeting about the Israeli lobby’s influence, writing that "it’s all about the Benjamins, baby.” Omar apologized for her comments.

The House later voted on a resolution condemning anti-Semitism.

AIPAC declined to comment on Omar signing onto the letter.