WASHINGTON D.C.- U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts called for stronger enforcement of American sanctions against Iran in the wake of its unprecedented air assault on Israel last weekend. “When (Iranians) chant ‘Death to Israel’ and ‘Death to America,’ they mean it,” Ricketts said in a conference call with reporters. “So we should take them very seriously.”

Israel said it was able to intercept 99% of Iran’s rockets and drones. But Iran still has many more such weapons in its arsenal, Ricketts said. He said that’s why it’s important for President Joe Biden and his administration to strengthen sanctions as a deterrent against Iran’s leaders. Ricketts said Israel also needs to be measured in its response to Iran’s attack to avoid further escalation.

On another security matter, Ricketts continued to defend his opposition to additional U.S. defense aid to Ukraine in its war with Russia, despite recent Ukrainian territorial losses and lack of air defense missiles that led to the destruction of a major power plant serving Kyiv. Like many Republicans, Ricketts argues that the United States needs to first shore up its own southern border with Mexico to stop illegal crossings.

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