Congress to Probe Iran ‘Presence’ in Latin America

Author Insists Iran Diplomatic Activity a 'Threat' to US Security

In a 386-6 vote, the House of Representatives has called for the US State Department to launch an immediate investigation into Iran’s diplomatic and business interests in central and South America.

The bill was titled the Countering Iran in the Western Hemisphere Act, and was authored by Rep. Jeff Duncan (R – SC), who argues Iran’s business and diplomatic ties are a threat to national security.

Officials have made a big deal of hyping Iran’s diplomatic efforts abroad, with the Pentagon insisting that opening new Iranian embassies in South America is “on par with spreading terrorism across the globe.” In reality much of the interest is in commerce, and keeping business going without sanctions.

$1 million allocated for the report is trivial to the State Department, and with that little money a bureaucracy of that size is unlikely to do much more than issue a report with no real evidence, just enough to keep the fear going and get more resolutions.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.