Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the hawkish Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said that the US President Donald Trump has full executive authority that allows him to respond to any Iranian threat to the US or its interests in the Middle East, without the need for Congress permission.
Dubowitz told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper Tuesday that launching attacks or strikes against Tehran or its proxies will be within Trump's reach and won’t require prior permission of the Congress, stressing that he is not speaking about open military conflict.
He noted that the US won’t stand handcuffed when it comes to the country’s national security, adding that if the Iranian regime attacks the US forces or interests in the Middle East, it will be met with great force.
Dubowitz, however, rules out the possibility that Iran might be as fatuous to commit such acts, saying it is less likely that the region is heading towards a war, despite expectations.
Dubowitz, who is in charge of the Iranian issue and nuclear nonproliferation weapons in the Middle East, said that Iran is concerned by Washington’s policy exerting pressure on it, adding that the Tehran is aware that Trump, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and National Security Adviser John Bolton share one goal; to deter its activities.
Commenting on Iran's refusal to return to the negotiating table, the US researcher said that throughout the past two years former Secretary of State John Kerry and others at Obama's administration told the regime to downplay Trump’s significance as he will serve as president for one term only. They also told them that the sanctions imposed by the US administration would not work, because they would be unilateral, not by multiple states. Dubowitz, however, affirmed that the sanctions were working and affecting the Iranian economy
The researcher continued that the regime is currently under huge pressure and Iranians will eventually realize that they do not have time to wait, because they may end up with the re-election of Trump for a second term.
