Rep. Mike Turner says Iran could "declare itself a nuclear weapons state" by end of 2024

Ohio Republican Congressman Mike Turner, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, discusses U.S. election meddling by Iran, emphasizing the lack of a robust response from the current administration. Turner criticizes the administration for not holding Iran accountable for hacking, misinformation, and an alleged assassination plot against Donald Trump. He calls for clear red lines and actionable responses to deter further interference. Turner also touches on Russia's election meddling preference for Trump and highlights concerns about U.S. support for Ukraine amidst ongoing conflicts and restrictions imposed by the Biden administration.

• US Intelligence and Justice Department Findings:
  • Iran is actively working to influence the outcome of the next US election.
  • The FBI is investigating phishing attempts targeting individuals associated with both the Trump and Harris campaigns.
  • In 2020, Iran's Supreme Leader sanctioned interference aimed at harming Donald Trump's election chances.

"US intelligence and the Justice Department say Iran is working to influence the outcome of the next election."

• The US government has identified ongoing foreign interference by Iran in the electoral process.

"The FBI is investigating phishing attempts at people associated with both the Trump and the Harris campaigns."

• The FBI is actively probing attempts to compromise individuals linked to major political campaigns.

"In 2020, the Supreme Leader had sanctioned Iran interfering to hurt Donald Trump in that election."

• Historical context: Iran previously sanctioned efforts to interfere in US elections to negatively impact Donald Trump.

• Response from the Administration:

  • Criticism of the current administration's lack of a robust response to Iran's actions.
  • Microsoft has reported hacking attempts on the Trump campaign.
  • The administration has acknowledged Iran's misinformation campaigns and a plot to assassinate Donald Trump.

"You know, I think what's missing here is a response from the administration."

• The administration is perceived as not responding adequately to election interference.

"You have Microsoft coming forward and saying that the Trump campaign had been hacked."

• Microsoft has identified and reported hacking attempts on the Trump campaign.

"The administration has identified that Iran was attempting to do this, including spreading misinformation."

• The administration has acknowledged Iran's efforts to spread misinformation.

"The administration has acknowledged that Iran was executing a plan to assassinate Donald Trump."

• There is recognition of a serious plot by Iran against Donald Trump.

• National Security Implications:

  • Attempting to assassinate a presidential candidate is considered an act of war by many national security experts.
  • The administration's lack of accountability measures against Iran is highlighted.

"Most national security experts agree that killing a presidential candidate would be an act of war from a foreign power."

• Assassination attempts on political figures are regarded as acts of war.

"Attempting though does at least require a response."

• Even attempted plots necessitate a significant response.

"The administration is not holding Iran accountable. There's no red lines."

• The lack of accountability and clear consequences for Iran's actions is criticized.

• Legal and National Security Distinction:

  • The arrest and prosecution of individuals involved in the plot are seen as insufficient.
  • The issue is framed as a national security threat rather than a mere law enforcement matter.

"This is not a law enforcement issue. This is a nation-state."

• The situation is beyond the scope of law enforcement and is a matter of national security.

"The administration has identified Iran as having executed a plot to try to assassinate Donald Trump."

• The administration has recognized Iran's involvement in a serious plot against a former president.

• Lack of Effective Response:
  • The administration has not implemented a response to deter Iran's activities.
  • Increased Iranian activity and emboldenment due to lack of accountability.
  • The administration's response should include clear statements of red lines and subsequent actions.

"There is not a response that impacts Iran or that has a deterrent effect or holds them accountable."

• The absence of a strong deterrent response encourages Iran to continue its activities.

"That of course results in increased activity and increased emboldenment of Iran to meddle in our elections and to, I think, you know, have people at risk in our country."

• The lack of accountability leads to heightened risks within the country.

• Suggested Actions:

  • Initial steps should include a formal statement from the administration.
  • Clear red lines should be established along with a clear understanding of the consequences of crossing those lines.
  • Concrete actions must follow to enforce these red lines.

"We first start with a statement by the administration and then also you could go to there need to be statements of red lines and understanding of what actions would occur."

• Establishing red lines and consequences is crucial for deterrence.

"The administration needs to look at what is their response going to be now that they're openly saying that they have in custody an individual they allege was part of an Iranian plot to assassinate Donald Trump."

• The administration must decide on a response following the revelation of an alleged Iranian assassination plot.

• Protection of Threatened Officials:
  • Officials associated with the alleged assassination plot, including cabinet members, continue to receive protection.
  • Diplom security is largely responsible for their protection.

"Those other officials associated do still receive protection largely from diplom security in addition to his cabinet members that have been threatened."

• Continuous protection measures are in place for threatened officials.

• Assessment of Election Interference:
  • The Director of National Intelligence has briefed reporters on Moscow’s unchanged preference for candidates.
  • The preference remains the same as in 2016 and 2020, favoring Donald Trump.

"The Director of National Intelligence did brief reporters and said that Moscow has not changed its prior preference of candidates which in 2016 and 2020 was Donald Trump."

• Moscow's candidate preference remains consistent across multiple election cycles.

• Ongoing Meddling:

  • Election meddling is expected to continue.
  • The U.S. needs to assess and address this ongoing threat effectively.

"What is enough being done that front in terms of that level of meddling which is expected to continue as well."

• Continuous assessment and action are required to counter election interference.

• Iran’s Understanding of U.S. Leadership:
  • Iran perceives Donald Trump as anti-Iran and recognizes the importance of a strong America for global safety.

"What we're seeing here especially in the part of Iran is that they understand that Donald Trump is anti-Iran and he recognizes that a strong America is a safer world."

• Iran's perception of U.S. leadership influences its actions and strategies.

• Trump’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict is aimed at ending the conflict, emphasizing a stronger America rather than an anti-Ukraine position.
• The Biden Administration has placed restrictions on Ukraine, which are seen as problematic and potentially leading to a war of attrition.
• The idea of lifting restrictions is supported, with the belief that it could change the dynamics on the ground in favor of Ukraine.
• There is a sense of urgency given the remaining months of the Biden Administration, with some advocating for a surge in support for Ukraine.

"Trump has certainly indicated that he wants to bring an end to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and it certainly isn't an anti-Ukraine position but it certainly is a stronger America position."

• Trump's approach is focused on ending the conflict while maintaining a strong stance for America.

"The restrictions that are being placed on Ukraine by the Biden Administration in this conflict certainly are troublesome and do result in this sort of status quo of a game of attrition on Ukraine."

• Biden's restrictions are seen as problematic, potentially leading to a prolonged conflict detrimental to Ukraine.

"To the point in terms of lifting further restrictions which I think he favored, I know you advocate this as well, but how much of this is based on the imperative that there are five months left of the Biden Administration and the Trump Vance view is quote that it is not in America's interest to sustain that war."

• There is a recognized urgency due to the limited time left in the Biden Administration, with some advocating for increased support to Ukraine.

• There is strong support for Ukraine, with a belief that lifting restrictions can enable Ukraine to hold Russia accountable.
• Ukraine is seen as being in a position to counter Russia effectively if given the proper support and weapon systems.
• The potential change in administration (to a Harris Administration) is considered, with an expectation of continued support for Ukraine.

"No one is for this war continuing, but I certainly fully support Ukraine and I think a concern with the Biden administration's restrictions also needing to get them modified is Ukraine is finally in a position where they can hold Russia accountable."

• Strong support for Ukraine is expressed, with a focus on modifying restrictions to empower Ukraine.

"If they can use long-range weapon systems to hold accountable Russia's valid military targets that are attacking Ukraine, we can change the dynamics on the ground."

• Emphasis on the need for long-range weapon systems to change the conflict dynamics in favor of Ukraine.

"Even if there is a Harris Administration that follows, that Ukraine's support would be there, the ability to hold Russia accountable would be there."

• Confidence in continued support for Ukraine regardless of a potential change in the U.S. administration.

• Authoritarian nations are perceived as a threat to democracies.
• Donald Trump has made controversial remarks about authoritarian leaders.

"Donald Trump recently called Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin lovely individuals."

• Trump’s remarks about authoritarian leaders can be seen as controversial and contradictory to the stance of many democracies.

• Trump expressed a desire to be friendly with Iran but emphasized preventing them from obtaining nuclear weapons.
• The Trump administration's "maximum pressure" campaign aimed to limit Iran's nuclear capabilities.

"I'm not looking to be bad to Iran. We're going to be friendly, I hope, with Iran, maybe. But maybe not. But we're going to be friendly, I hope. We're going to be friendly, but they can't have a nuclear weapon. They can't have a nuclear weapon."

• Trump’s approach to Iran involved a balance between diplomacy and stringent measures to prevent nuclear armament.

• There is a perception of mixed messaging in Trump's statements about being friendly with Iran while also imposing strict measures.
• Critics might argue that such mixed messages indicate inconsistency.

"I'm sure you'd be critical of a Democrat saying they want to be friendly with Iran. What do you make of the mixed messaging there from Mr. Trump?"

• The mixed messaging could be seen as a point of criticism, especially when compared to how similar statements from Democrats might be received.

• The Trump administration's maximum pressure campaign involved significant economic and military pressure on Iran.
• This campaign reportedly slowed Iran's nuclear activities.

"Donald Trump, with the maximum pressure campaign on Iran, put the most pressure on Iran that they have had in any administration both economically and militarily."

• The maximum pressure campaign is highlighted as a significant effort to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions.

• Reports suggest that Iran has made significant advances in its nuclear program under the Biden administration.
• There is speculation that Iran might declare itself a nuclear weapon state by the end of the year.

"They were on the ropes actually. In their processes, they had slowed. What we see now with this administration is that they might declare themselves a nuclear weapon state by the end of this year."

• The contrast between the Trump and Biden administrations' policies on Iran is emphasized, with a suggestion that Iran's nuclear progress has accelerated under Biden.

• The Biden administration's policies are perceived to have given Iran more flexibility and freedom.
• Iran is accused of trying to influence U.S. elections and plotting to assassinate Donald Trump.

"The flexibility and freedom that they've had under the Biden administration has given them the ability to both try to influence our elections, actively try to undertake a plot to assassinate Donald Trump, and to continue their nuclear weapons and their nuclear enrichment programs."

• The increased flexibility for Iran under the Biden administration is linked to various threats and aggressive actions by Iran.