Congressman Michael Guest (R-MS) made the following statement to the Iranian American Community. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of H. Res. 118 and to support you as we continue to fight for a free and democratic Iran – a free Iran where human rights are respected. For over 40 years, the Iranian people have suffered under an authoritarian regime that has refused to respect opposition thought and debate. As stated in H. Res. 118, “The Iranian people have been deprived of their fundamental freedoms for which reason they rejected monarchic dictatorship and are opposing religious tyranny.”
Even outside of Iran, the regime has continued to suppress opposition raised by Iranian communities around the world. In February, a Belgian Court convicted an Iranian operative and diplomat for an attempted terrorist attack of an Iranian opposition gathering in 2018. The plot against the 2018 Free Iran gathering shows the regime’s continued disdain for democratic values and the rule of law within and outside of Iran’s borders. The U.S. Congress stands with the Iranian people’s rights to freedom and assembly and to confront the Iranian regime’s intentions to crush dissent and export terrorism.
We must continue to oppose the Iranian regime in the strongest of terms. This includes prolonging sanctions and other actions meant to deter the regime from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Allowing this regime to continue to exert tyranny will only result in continued oppression of the Iranian people and those that speak against the current authoritarian government. I will continue to work with members of Congress, federal agencies, and the Iranian American community to promote democratic values and a free Iran. Thank you all and may God bless you.
