fbpx

Interview with Sen. Dean Heller

Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) discussed the future of the Iran nuclear deal following U.S. withdrawal from the pact in an interview with Jewish Insider‘s Jacob Kornbluh while visiting Israel for the opening of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem:

“I was glad the President did what he did. I sat with the Treasury Secretary on Sunday at dinner and we talked about some of the new sanctions the administration is going to put on Iran. I think financial institutions are just as big of a fighting tool as weapons and boots on the ground, and I do believe that this administration is going to do everything it can to avoid missiles, ammunition, and boots on the ground because they think they can get this done through sanctions. I would support the administration moving forward on what they are going to try to do to get Iran back to the table if we put together something that works better. I also believe that our European allies will come to the table also now that they have seen this President and the strength that he has in willing to take the necessary steps to renegotiate this deal.”

On Trump’s policy against Iranian presence in Syria: “Iran is doing everything they possibly can to ramp up their ability to attack a state like Israel. I am concerned, and I think that this administration will stand strong. I know Lindsey Graham has been talking to the President, Ted Cruz has been talking to the President, and I have been talking to the President about maintaining some kind of presence in Syria only because of the concern that we will have Iran completely taking over Syria. Bottom line is this: I think the White House has come to this conclusion and have never left this thought that Israel has the right to defend themselves, and this administration is going to support them. The relationship now has never been stronger, and I do believe this country is a better place today than it has been with previous presidents.” 

On lack of Democrats at embassy opening ceremony: “Let me assure you that Washington, DC is becoming more partisan and I don’t think Israel has anything to do with that. I’ve been in Washington, DC for 10 years and – maybe outside the Department of Defense – no other issue did I find to be more bipartisan. I know that the Left probably doesn’t want this president to succeed, and perhaps that’s some of the reasons why they are not here. I can’t answer for them, but I can kind off see the writing on the wall on all this. I have a hard time believing that in the future Republicans and Democrats won’t come together to defend the state of Israel.”

Subscribe now to
the Daily Kickoff

The politics and business news you need to stay up to date, delivered each morning in a must-read newsletter.