Sen. Cruz Presses Biden Admin on Iranian Suicide Drones Built With American Components

Probe follows fatal Houthi drone attack near U.S. Consulate in Tel Aviv

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today sent a letter to National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan demanding answers regarding the White House's Drone Task Force. The Biden administration has allowed over $100 billion to flow to the Iranian regime, which the regime uses to fund its military and terrorism, including the production of so-called "suicide drones." Those munitions are made almost entirely of American components, which the administration has failed to keep out of Iran's hands. The letter specifically requires answers regarding the administration's claims that it is working to restrict access to American components. It follows the recent Houthi drone attack near the United States Consulate in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Sen. Cruz wrote:

"The Iranian regime has engaged in the use and mass proliferation of loitering munitions - so-called suicide drones - by its own forces, Russia, and its terrorist proxies across the Middle East for decades. Those munitions are being used to attack U.S. servicemembers and our allies, including Israel and Ukraine, and more broadly to undermine American national security interests.

"Military production of the drones is financed by funds available to the Iranian regime, including roughly 100 billion dollars that the Biden administration has allowed to flow to the Ayatollah. However, the construction of the drones is enabled by the regime's access to American components, and indeed the drones are built almost entirely from components produced by U.S. companies. U.S. export and trade restrictions are aimed in part to prevent the acquisition of such components by rogue regimes such as Iran; their failure suggests either a lack of will or ability by the Biden administration. I write to request information and a briefing on the administration's actions and engagement with industry to end this deadly supply chain. […]

"These drones are made almost entirely of American components, including ones cannibalized from other machines or transferred through third- or fourth-party distributors using convoluted routes to move tiny electronics. The administration claims it is working to restrict access to such components. In December 2022, the White House reportedly launched an 'expansive task force' to examine how Iran obtains the American-made components necessary for its militant drone-building. This 'all hands on deck' drone task force is overseen by the National Security Council and reportedly includes the Department of Commerce as well as the Department of Defense, Department of State, Department of Justice, and the Department of the Treasury. However, since the announcement of this task force in 2022, there has not been a single published update, report, or announcement."

Sen. Cruz is requesting a briefing from the White House Drone Task Force, and specifics regarding the task force's creation, members, activities, and communications.

Read the full text of Sen. Cruz's letter HERE.

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https://www.commerce.senate.gov/2024/7/sen-cruz-presses-biden-admin-on-iranian-suicide-drones-built-with-american-components