Rep. Brian Mast of Florida stated Sunday that President Donald Trump took necessary measures against Iran to counter an imminent and longstanding threat to the United States. During a special broadcast featuring Greta Van Susteren, Mast described the three U.S. service members killed in a recent military operation as “American heroes.”
Mast emphasized that Iran has been an ongoing and immediate threat to American forces and interests for decades. He pointed specifically to the January 2024 attack at Tower 22 in Jordan that resulted in the deaths of three American service members as evidence of Tehran’s persistent aggression. Mast noted that Iran continues to target U.S. assets through proxy groups and direct military actions, including potential ballistic missile deployments with nuclear capabilities.
“Iran funds Hamas and Hezbollah,” Mast said. “These proxies are terrorists who target Americans and their allies.” He added that Iran does not penalize its proxies for attacks but instead increases support following successful operations: “They don’t say, you hit an American merchant marine vessel or an American Navy vessel—we’ll cease funding. They say, you were successful—let us give you more and greater support.”
Mast criticized the previous administration’s approach, stating Iran was emboldened by former President Joe Biden’s decisions—including Yemen’s removal from the state sponsor of terror list and billions in funds released to Iran. In contrast, Mast praised Trump’s strategy: “President Trump is conducting negotiations in the exact opposite way. Number one, giving them a timeline. Number two, not giving them any funds or resources in return. Number three, when they didn’t meet our demands about ending their nuclear program, ballistic missile program, and support for proxies—he gave them death.”
Mast concluded by reaffirming the service members’ valor: “I love them, I didn’t know them. Those were my brothers. I thank them for doing their duty to defend the United States of America.”
