Congressman Cohen Says Iran and Russia have a “Shared Disdain of Freedom”

WASHINGTON - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), the House Ranking Member of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, questioned experts and said lessons can be learned from the relationship between Russia and Iran and the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine at a commission hearing on Iran's support for Russia.

In his opening statement, Congressman Cohen said in part:

"For decades, Russia and Iran have been bound by their shared disdain of freedom, democracy and their insistence on overturning the rules-based world order that has kept Americans safe and secure for generations. Despite overwhelming evidence that the Russia-Iran relationship has deepened over the last several years, the Trump administration is willfully ignoring the pattern…The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Russia is sharing intelligence with Iran about U.S. positions and capabilities…The Trump administration has no intention of punishing Russia…

"Like the Kremlin, Iran's regime is using war as an opportunity to tighten its grip on power and deepen the repression, escalating violence and imprisoning dissenters…"

See his entire opening statement here.

Witnesses at today's hearing were:

• Ilan Berman, senior vice president, American Foreign Policy Council;
• Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior director, Iran Program, Foundation for the Defense of Democracies; and
• Aaron Zelin, Gloria and Ken Levy Fellow, Washington Institute for Near East Policy

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