Expert: Iranian Has Used Dual Nationals in Terror Plots Against US, Israel

(CNSNews) – Iranians with dual nationality have been involved in terror plots against the U.S. and Israel, including a foiled plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador in a Washington restaurant, an expert on Iran told lawmakers on Wednesday.

Foundation for Defense of Democracies Senior Fellow Emanuele Ottolenghi was testifying before two House Oversight subcommittees, looking into the administration’s response to newly enacted changes to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), designed to prevent terrorists from exploiting the program.

The restrictions apply both to citizens of the 38 VWP partner countries who have visited Iran, Iraq, Syria or Sudan since 2011, and to citizens of VWP partner countries who hold dual Iranian, Syrian, Sudanese or Iraqi citizenship.

Secretary of State John Kerry assured his Iranian counterpart in a December letter that the administration would ensure the changes did not impact Iran’s “legitimate business interests” in the light of sanctions relief under the nuclear deal, citing the waiver authority built into the legislation.

Republican lawmakers accused Kerry of trying to “appease the regime,” and two separate hearings were held on Capitol Hill on the subject Wednesday.

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