What just happened: Iran informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of plans to start enriching uranium to 60 percent.

In other words… Iran will enrich uranium to levels for which it will have no civilian use. This action continues Iran’s strategy of nuclear blackmail to achieve sanctions relief while also bringing Tehran significantly closer to nuclear weapons capability.

America must make clear to Iran that it cannot achieve sanctions relief by threats and raising tensions.

On April 13, the U.S. Intelligence Community released its 2021 Annual Threat Assessment, outlining “the most direct, serious threats to the United States during the next year.”

The report highlights the comprehensive threat posed by Iran—ranging from its regional aggression and support for terrorism, to its ballistic missiles, cyberattacks and potential nuclear breakout.

America needs a comprehensive policy—closely coordinated with our regional allies—to permanently prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and address the regime’s ballistic missile program, terrorism, and regional aggression.

Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas recently issued a decree calling for the first presidential and parliamentary elections in over 15 years. Transparent and free elections are a key element of any democratic society, and good Palestinian governance is crucial for the Palestinian people.

As the Palestinians organize elections, the United States and the international community must make clear that they will not accept the participation of an unreformed Hamas. The world can only accept as legitimate a Palestinian government that renounces violence, accepts Israel, and abides by previous agreements.

On March 27, Iran and China signed a 25-year strategic cooperation agreement promising hundreds of billions of dollars in Chinese investments in Iran in exchange for Iranian oil.

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has renewed its unjustified attacks on Israel. On March 23-24, the UNHRC adopted four anti-Israel resolutions, including one urging countries to restrict certain arms sales to the Jewish state.

Announced in July 2015, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) sought to prevent Iran from building a nuclear weapon.

But the deal only imposed temporary restrictions on Tehran’s nuclear quest and has had no moderating effect on its regional aggression.

Israel enjoys the highest per capita vaccination rate in the world. Thirty-seven percent of Israelis have received their first vaccine dose, while 21% of Israelis are completely inoculated as of Feb. 1.

Israel’s rapid deployment strategy has begun to produce results, as infection rates are beginning to fall.

What is the ICC?

Intended as a court of last resort, the International Criminal Court (ICC) is supposed to adjudicate the most serious international crimes—genocide, crimes against humanity, crimes of aggression and other war crimes—when member states prove unwilling or unable to act. But over its 20-year history, the court has spent roughly $5 billion and only brought 5 cases to trial.

Iran rejects talks: On Sunday, Iran rejected a European proposal for informal talks with the United States and other parties to the 2015 nuclear deal, insisting on sanctions relief from Washington before joining direct negotiations.

What is the ICC?

Intended as a court of last resort, the International Criminal Court (ICC) is supposed to adjudicate the most serious international crimes—genocide, crimes against humanity, crimes of aggression and other war crimes—when member states prove unwilling or unable to act.

Iran informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that as of Feb. 23 it will no longer permit short-notice inspections, monitoring of centrifuge manufacturing facilities and advanced electronic monitoring of its nuclear sites.

In other words… Iran is reducing the ability of international inspectors to monitor its nuclear program while threatening to further curtail IAEA inspections in 90 days if Tehran’s demands are not met.

The Biden administration and Congress are considering whether and how the United States might reenter the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

It is essential to understand the changed environment we face in 2021 compared to six years ago.

The Iranian people are being held hostage by a regime that prioritizes regional aggression over the well-being of its own people. Sanctions increase our diplomatic leverage and hold Iran accountable for its actions. If Iran wants sanctions relief, it must first change its behavior.

America needs a comprehensive policy—closely coordinated with our regional allies—to permanently prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and address the regime’s ballistic missile program, terrorism, and regional aggression.

In Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Gaza, Iranian-backed forces and terrorist proxies are attempting to surround Israel with increasingly advanced weaponry, preparing for the next large-scale conflict against the Jewish state. Stronger than most European armies, these terrorist groups have launched repeated attacks against Americans and Israelis, and are embedding terrorists and weapons among civilian populations as they prepare for war.

Iran—the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism—remains Israel’s and America’s greatest threat in the Middle East. A nuclear Iran would pose a direct danger to American interests and an existential threat to the Jewish state. Rather than provide for its people, the Iranian regime spends an inordinate amount of money to challenge America and our allies by furthering its nuclear project, expanding its influence by destabilizing countries throughout the region, promoting terrorism, and engaging in gross human rights abuses.

Iran has chosen escalation over negotiation in its announcement this week that it will further enrich uranium to 20% purity. This step has no peaceful purpose and is designed to alarm America and Tehran’s neighbors. The United States must not succumb to Iran’s nuclear blackmail or succumb to panic over Iran’s escalation. Washington should maintain pressure on Iran to end its regional aggression and its illicit nuclear and ballistic missile activities.