Rep. Brian Mast says Iran is an 'imminent threat,' cites proxy attacks and alleged payments

Florida Congressman Brian Mast said in an interview that Iran poses an "imminent threat" to the United States, praising U.S. service members killed in a recent operation and blaming Tehran for supporting proxy groups that attack American interests. "They are American heroes," Mast said of the fallen service members.

Mast, a veteran, framed the recent operation as necessary and said Iran attacks the United States "via their proxies" and could strike directly with ballistic missiles if given the opportunity. He named three U.S. service members he said were killed at a location he called "Tower 22" in Jordan: "Sergeant Rivers, Sergeant Sanders, Sergeant Moffett," he said.

The interview focused on Mast's assertions about Iran's regional activities. He accused Tehran of funding and training groups including Hamas and Hezbollah, and said Iran rewards proxies for successful attacks rather than discouraging them: "Oh, you were successful in conducting this operation. let us give you more and greater support," he said. Mast also described a graphic Hamas video from Oct. 7, 2023, saying the footage showed militants boasting about killings.

Mast repeated claims that the U.S. policy environment changed in recent years, saying the Biden administration removed Yemen from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism and that "two separate payments, one of about $10 billion, one of about $6 billion" went to Iran. Those assertions were presented by Mast as his account of events and were not verified in the interview.

Throughout, Mast contrasted his preferred approach to Iran with how he described former President Trump's negotiations: he said Trump's approach "was giving them a timeline, number two, not giving them any funds or resources in return," and that when Iran did not comply the former president "gave them death," language Mast used to describe a tougher military posture.

The interview included no formal policy action or vote. The host concluded the segment by thanking Mast for joining the program.