House Intel Committee Chairman Not Hopeful on Iran's Rouhani
Mike Rogers, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence chairman, says claims of Iranian President-elect Hassan Rouhani’s moderation are more marketing than reality.
Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, does “not hold out a lot of hope” that there will be any change in Iranian behavior under incoming President Hassan Rouhani.
“Iran is still moving forward on its nuclear program, it is still the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world,” said Rogers, in an exclusive telephone interview with Al-Monitor.
Rogers, who has represented Michigan’s 8th district since 2001, was a co-sponsor of the Nuclear Iran Prevention Act, passed by the House with a 400-20 vote on July 31, which imposes tough additional sanctions on Iran.
“Sanctions are incredibly important to continue to send a message that the pursuit of the nuclear program will only cause them pain,” said Rogers, who has earned a reputation in Congress for his bipartisan leadership on national security issues.
