Several former Trump administration officials called on President Joe Biden to revoke the security clearances of officials who hold "ties to or sympathy for" Iran.
The statement's signatories include former secretary of state Mike Pompeo, National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien, Pentagon chief Christopher Miller, and Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliff.
"As former senior officials in the United States Government we are very alarmed by the information contained in recent articles regarding Iranian influence operations targeting American citizens, especially US Government employees," the statement says. "We are jointly speaking out in this unprecedented manner because of the clear and present danger Iran and its covert operations of many types, including its influence operations, pose to U.S. National Security."
"It is our view," the Trump officials said, "that the Biden Administration must revoke the security clearances and terminate the U.S. government employment of any individuals who could pose a threat to our national security based on ties to or sympathy for the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran."
The statement referred to Robert Malley, who was the U.S. special envoy for Iran but has since been suspended. Malley is the subject of an investigation into alleged mishandling of classified information. Republicans are pressuring the Biden administration to release documents related to the investigation into Malley's ties to Tehran.
The statements come after an Iranian official said Israel "will be gone soon" and another promised to "eradicate" the "cancerous" Jewish state.