Rep. Wenstrup criticizes Biden for delaying response to Iran

Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, expressed his concern on Thursday about President Joe Biden’s delayed response to Iran following the drone attack that killed three American troops in Jordan last week.

Wenstrup stated that Biden’s response has been overdue, especially in light of the approximately 166 attacks on U.S. troops and bases in the Middle East since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7.

“It’s been too long for a while. If you look at the attacks that have taken place since October 7, on U.S. interests, U.S. military, 160 times, what are we waiting for?” Wenstrup said on “The Hill” on NewsNation on Thursday.

“When you know that it is Iran that is behind these militias, behind Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthis, they’re funding them, they’re providing the training, they’re providing dollars and the weapons as well,” Wenstrup added.

His comments come as Biden’s response to Iran is reportedly imminent. Following the revelation that the drone used in the attack was made in Iran and the identification of the Iraq-based proxy group, the Islamic Resistance, as responsible, CBS News reported that Biden has approved strikes on Iranian personnel and facilities in Syria and Iraq.

“How much Iran knew or didn’t know, we don’t know. But it really doesn’t matter because Iran sponsors these groups,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Thursday. “Without that facilitation, these kinds of things don’t happen.”

So far, the U.S. has responded with about six counterstrikes on facilities in Iraq and Syria, as well as airstrikes against the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen. The Houthis fired on a Liberian ship in the Red Sea on Thursday.

“We’re going to do what’s necessary to protect our troops,” Austin said.

Wenstrup emphasized that he and his fellow GOP lawmakers are eagerly awaiting action.