McHenry Times

The United States must not allow Iran to establish a permanent military presence in Syria, U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL) said in a recent letter to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Secretary of Defense James Mattis, according to a press release.

"The Islamic Republic seeks to solidify its access to the Mediterranean Sea by building a permanent seaport and constructing numerous military installations throughout the country," the letter, which Roskam penned with U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL), read. "A permanent Iranian military presence in Syria would greatly harm U.S. interests in the region and decrease the likelihood of reaching a political agreement to end the Syrian civil war."

The two congressmen pointed out a recent military parade in Iran that displayed a "Death to Israel" sign as an example of Iran's hostile attitude toward the Jewish state.

While Roskam and Deutch expressed their support for efforts to end the Syrian civil war, they also discussed taking action against Iranian aggression in the region. They suggested holding the Iranian commercial airlines that transport troops and weapons to Syria accountable and enforcing the Iran nuclear deal. 

Roskam and Deutch also urged Tillerson and Mattis to strengthen sanctions against Iran to force the country to stop supporting terrorism and human rights abuses and end its ballistic missile program.