For US Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nevada), the threat posed by the Iranian regime is not merely a regional concern for Israel. It is a destabilizing force that exports terrorism to every corner of the globe.
“The Iranian regime is the world’s No. 1 supporter of terrorism,” she said Thursday in an interview with The Jerusalem Post. “I stand with the Iranian people, who want to be freed from that evil and oppressive regime. A democratic, terror-free Iran would bolster not only regional stability but stability around the world.”
As protests continue to simmer within Iran, Rosen (D-Nevada) said the US administration should provide a lifeline to those on the ground. Beyond rhetoric, she cited practical technological support as a primary tool for empowerment.
“We can lift access to the Internet and communication to the outside world,” Rosen said, adding that the international community must increase pressure to prevent the regime from retaliating against its own citizens.
“We need to be sure that this government is not allowed to retaliate on the protesters, who are trying to change their country for the better,” she said.
Iran’s ballistic missiles, nuclear ambitions, and network of proxies is a direct threat not only to Israel but to the entire region and beyond, Rosen said.
Sen. Rosen calls for Congress to enact sanctions on Iran
“These missiles are pointed at everybody,” she said. “This isn’t just a regional issue. It’s a global one.”
Rosen reiterated that Congress plays a central role, especially regarding sanctions against Iran.
“Those sanctions don’t just happen,” she said. “They have to be enacted by Congress. That’s why the administration and the State Department need to work with us to tell us which levers they’re pulling diplomatically and where legislation makes sense.”
Rosen said comprehensive pressure was needing, including targeting oil revenues, financial networks, arms transfers, and even imposing secondary sanctions on third parties that enable Iran’s activities.
“The Iranian regime needs to believe the threats are real – not just from the United States or Israel alone, but from a unified coalition of allies,” she said.
As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Rosen cited legislative efforts she has championed to strengthen Israel’s security, including integrated air- and missile-defense cooperation, maritime security initiatives, and space and cyber collaboration, many of which were embedded in recent National Defense Authorization Acts.
“These aren’t just talking points,” she said. “They’re laws that create real, coordinated defense capabilities between Israel, the United States, and regional partners.”
These frameworks proved their value following the October 7 massacre, when integrated air-defense systems helped protect northern Israel, she added.
Diplomacy was the cornerstone of long-term stability, and there should be deeper cooperation between Congress and the administration, Rosen said.
She also voiced strong support for strengthening and expanding the Abraham Accords as a foundation for regional security and prosperity.
As a self-described pro-Israel Democrat and the third Jewish woman to serve in the US Senate, Rosen added a personal note.
“For thousands of years, Jews have been used as pawns,” she said. “I will not let Israel be used as a political football. We need to build for the long haul – for the safety of Israel and for Jews everywhere."