SCHUMER CALLS FOR INCREASED SCRUTINY OF IRANIAN MISSION TO THE UN AFTER SERIES OF TERRORIST ACTIVITIES OVERSEAS AND CONCERNS RAISED BY COUNTER-TERRORISM OFFICIALS
NYPD Director of Intelligence Says NYC Is 'Essentially No. 1' Target for Iranian Terrorists - With Three Bomb Plots against Israelis Linked to Iran This Week
In 2004, Security Guards to the Iranian Mission Were Expelled for Spying on City Subways and Landmarks; Schumer Says That If There Is Any Suspicion of Iranian Diplomats, They Should Receive Extra Scrutiny
Schumer: Iran Continues to Prove it Will Use Terror as a Weapon - We Need to Make Sure NYC Is Protected
United States Senator Charles E. Schumer called on the United States Department of State yesterday to increase its scrutiny of the Iranian Mission to the United Nations, based in New York, after a series of terrorist activities overseas targeting Israeli officials were linked to the Iranian government and after concerns were raised by New York Police Department officials over Iranian intentions. Schumer today called on the State Department to provide the greatest level of scrutiny possible for any agent of the Iranian government in the United States as part of the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations, to protect against any possible plots.
"With Iran's increasingly bellicose and threatening behavior, it's imperative that agents of the Iranian government in the United States receive additional scrutiny to ensure that they pose no threat to New York or the rest of the country," said Schumer. "Time and time again, the Iranian government has demonstrated their refusal to operate under the rule of law and their willingness to use terror in order to intimidate those they don't agree with. The State Department should do a top-to-bottom review of the credentials of any Iranian agent in the United States to ensure they pose no security threat."
In his letter to Secretary Clinton, Schumer cites the recent bombing plots in Bangkok, Thailand and Tbilisi, Georgia, as well concerns voiced by counter terrorism officials in New York as reason for the increased scrutiny of the Iranian Mission. He went on to point out that in 2004 two security guards attached to the Iranian mission to the United Nations were expelled by the State Department after being caught conducting surveillance of city subways and landmarks.
A copy of Schumer's letter to Secretary Clinton can be found below.
Dear Secretary Clinton,
I write to you regarding a serious security matter that potentially affects New York City and American interest. This month, three international bomb plots - linked to the Islamic Republic of Iran demonstrate the serious concerns that this dangerous regime could target New York City for an attack. As you may be aware, Israeli officials linked three bombing plots on Monday and Tuesday to Iranian terrorists -- including one who blew off his own leg with a botched grenade toss in Bangkok, Thailand. And just yesterday, a bomb plot targeting another Israeli diplomatic in Tbilisi, Georgia, was thwarted by authorities.
Earlier this month, The U.S. Director of National Intelligence Jim Clapper, told the Senate Intelligence Committee that Iran's leaders seem prepared to attack U.S. interests overseas. Additionally, just last year we saw U.S. authorities successfully thwart an Iranian plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador in our nation's capitol. And in 2004 two security guards attached to the Iranian mission to the United Nations were expelled by the State Department after being caught conducting surveillance of city subways and landmarks. In light of this information, it is absolutely unacceptable that Iran's U.N. mission is permitted to allow officials from Iran's Ministry of Intelligence to live and operate in New York with official diplomatic cover.
The extreme and dangerous government of Iranian Leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad must be held accountable and the regime's representatives and agents who work or reside on American oil must be vigorously monitored to ensure that they are not planning to, or successfully carry out, any plans that put American lives or interest at risk. Therefore, if there is any iota of suspicion that the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations is seeking to participate in any actions that can do any potential harm to New Yorkers or American interest, then the mission must receive as much scrutiny as U.S. law permits.
New York remains the nation's most prominent terrorist target, and the threat that Iran poses to Americans can never be exaggerated. Thank you for your consideration of this very important request.