Sen. Kelly Ayotte: Iran the world’s foremost state sponsor of terrorism has no interest in cooperating with international laws

 US Lawmakers are using Iran's harassment of U.S. Navy ships in the Persian Gulf this week to slam the White House for its hopes that Iran would warm to the U.S. after last year's nuclear deal.
On several occasions this week, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy vessels harassed U.S. Navy ships in the Persian Gulf.

In one incident, an Iranian vessel approached a U.S. ship at high speed, and in another incident, one encircled a Navy ship. The U.S. ships responded by firing flares and warning shots.
“Iran’s unchecked aggression and malign activities throughout the Middle East continue to increase, despite assertions from the administration that the nuclear agreement between our countries would make Tehran a more cooperative global partner,” said Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), a member of the Armed Services Committee.
White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest on Thursday called Iran’s actions 'not acceptable.”
'These types of actions and incidents are concerning and they have the potential to unnecessarily escalate tensions,” he added.
President Obama has in the past suggested that the Iran nuclear deal could thaw Iran's relationship with the U.S.
“If Iran seizes this opportunity, the Iranian people will benefit from rejoining the international community, and we can begin to chip away at the mistrust between our two nations,” he said in November 2013.
Republicans, however, have argued that since the deal was reached last July, Iran has only taken provocative actions that increase mistrust.
On Oct. 10, Iran tested a medium-range ballistic missile, in violation of a United Nations Security Council Resolution. On Nov. 21, Iran tested another medium-range ballistic missile. 
On Dec. 26, the Iranian navy conducted a live-fire exercise near the USS Theodore Roosevelt in the Persian Gulf. On Jan. 12, it detained 10 U.S. sailors who had drifted into Iranian waters. On Mar. 9, Iran tested more medium-range ballistic missiles.
On Monday, the State Department issued a warning against U.S. citizens traveling to Iran.
The warning came amid revelations that the administration withheld a $400 million cash payment until Iran released four American prisoners in January. The payment was for an unrelated settlement, but Republicans have said linking it to the hostages' release shows it was a ransom. The administration says it was just using 'maximum leverage' over the Iranians.
'By appeasing Iran and paying ransoms, the Obama Administration has put Americans in danger,' said Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.).
'Just weeks after bragging about imaginary ‘leverage’ against Iran, the Obama Administration warned Americans about the growing risk of Iranian kidnappings and American sailors were forced to defend themselves against Iranian fast-attack boats. This cannot be the new normal,' he added. 
Ayotte has introduced legislation to impose new sanctions on Iran for its missile tests.
“From multiple incidents between our Navy and Iranian ships and the detention of ten Navy sailors in January, to several ballistic missiles tests from Tehran, it’s clear that the world’s foremost state sponsor of terrorism has no interest in cooperating with international laws or agreements,' Ayotte said.
'To ensure the safety of our troops, our allies in the region, and our national security, this administration must take substantive actions to hold Iran accountable for their activities,' she added.
Congress is expected to take up the issue of Iran sanctions legislation before the end of the year, when current sanction legislation is set to expire. 
The administration has argued that its renewal would violate the Iran deal, which lifted some sanctions in return for the country scaling back its nuclear program. But lawmakers say it's necessary to deter violations and provide a fallback if Iran violates the terms of the agreement.

Source:Hill, 26 AUG. 2016