U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-8) today denounced Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for his address to the United Nations in which he characterized the tragic terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 as an American conspiracy to “grip” the Middle East and “save the Zionist regime.”

“The conspiracy theories President Ahmadinejad indulged in dishonor the memory of the thousands of people of who were killed on 9-11, including those from the 8th Congressional District, and insult their families and loved ones,” said Rep. Pascrell. “The United States delegation and all of the other delegates who walked out of the General Assembly upon hearing Ahmadinejad’s gross presentation were right to do so.  Ahmadinejad’s comments represent another wasted opportunity by the Iranian President to join the rest of the community of nations in promoting a better future for the world and the Iranian people, and instead indulge in conspiracy theories and anti-Semetic rhetoric.”

Rep. Pascrell was a strong supporter and cosponsor of H.R. 2194, The Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010, which was signed into law by President Obama on July 1, 2010.  The legislation introduces an array of tough new economic sanctions and penalties aimed at persuading Iran to end its nuclear weapons program.  Targets of the Act range from business entities involved in refined petroleum sales to Iran or support for Iran’s domestic refining efforts, to international banking institutions involved with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Iran’s illicit nuclear program or its support for terrorism.  

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