Senator Seeks Update on Biden Admin. Probe of US Parts Found in Iranian Drones
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee, asked the Biden administration July 22 to provide a briefing on its efforts to find out how parts made by U.S. companies are ending up in Iranian-made drones.
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While the White House reportedly launched a task force in December 2022 to study how Iran obtains the components (see 2212290027 and 2301040019), “there has not been a single published update, report or announcement” on the task force’s work since then, Cruz wrote in a letter to National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.
Cruz said he wants to know how the task force has engaged with American companies whose parts have been found in Iran-made drones, and whether the task force has communicated with countries through which drone parts appear to be transshipped before they enter Iran.
Cruz said he’s particularly concerned about Iranian “suicide drones” used to attack U.S. troops and allies. Yemen-based Houthi rebels reportedly used an Iranian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in their recent deadly attack on Tel Aviv.
The White House didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on Cruz's letter. But in March 2023, a Commerce Department official said the agency was increasing its focus on stopping U.S. parts from being used in Iranian UAVs (see 2303220037). In June 2023, the Commerce, Justice, State and Treasury departments issued an 11-page document that highlights the due diligence policies, compliance structures and internal controls companies should use to ensure their products don't end up in Iranian drones (see 2306090040).