SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE STATEMENT OF GENERAL DAVID H. PETRAEUS, U.S. ARMY, COMMANDER U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND BEFORE THE SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE ON THE AFGHANISTAN-PAKISTAN STRATEGIC REVIEW AND THE POSTURE OF U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND
March 16, 2010

Iran poses the major state-level threat to regional stability in the CENTCOM AOR.  Despite numerous UN Security Council Resolutions and extensive diplomatic efforts by the P5+1 and the IAEA, the Iranian regime continues its nuclear program.  Indeed, Iran is assessed by many analysts to be engaged in pursuing a nuclear weapons capability, the advent of which would destabilize the region and likely spur a regional arms race.  The Iranian regime also continues to arm, fund, train, equip, and direct proxy extremist elements in Iraq, Lebanon, Gaza – and, to a lesser degree, in Afghanistan.  It continues significant intervention in the domestic politics in each of those locations, as well. 

The Iranian regime’s internal activities are also troubling as its violent suppression of opposition groups and demonstrations in the wake of last year’s hijacked elections has made a mockery of the human rights of the Iranian people and fomented further unrest.  Those internal developments have also resulted in greater reliance than ever on Iran’s security services to sustain the regime’s grip on power.