Hill Republicans urge Biden to crack down on Iran after Israel strike

Key Republican leaders in Congress have urged President Joe Biden to take a firm line against Iran in the wake of Tehran's missile strikes on Israel on Tuesday.

In retaliation for Israel's killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Tehran launched a volley of missiles with several appearing to penetrate the country's air defenses and score hits.

"We pray for their safety and urge the Biden-Harris Administration to deliver a strong message to the Iranian regime that this unjustified violence and terror must end. The strategy of appeasement has failed, and a policy of interdiction is not enough," wrote House Republican leadership in a statement.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Majority Whip Tom Emmer, and Conference Chair Elise Stefanik issued the statement jointly.

“American leadership has never been more important, and the world should know that the United States will continue to stand firmly with Israel as it fights for its very survival," they continued. "Our adversaries are carrying out increasingly dangerous attacks because of Biden and Harris' weak and failed foreign policy. The world needs America to return to a maximum pressure campaign against Iran, and President Biden needs to make clear that there will be decisive economic and potential military ramifications for these actions." 

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, meanwhile, demanded that Iran "face severe consequences" and called for replenishing Israeli munitions to combat Tehran.

“The Biden Administration has repeatedly threatened Iran with ‘severe consequences’ for its campaign of terror against Israel and the United States, but failed to impose them. It has pledged ‘ironclad’ support for Israel, only to delay and withhold the security assistance that would give this pledge any weight," he said.

“It is not enough to issue statements. It is not enough to intercept missiles and drones moments before they reach civilians in Israel or U.S. personnel in the Red Sea. It is time for America to act like the friend of Israel we claim to be. It is time to replenish Israel’s supply of critical munitions," McConnell asserted.