'World's number one state-sponsored terrorism': Congressman David Rouzer weighs in on ...

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - U.S. Rep. David Rouzer on Thursday defended the United States military operation against Iran, saying it was necessary because Iran was close to developing nuclear weapons and refused to negotiate in good faith.

Rouzer said Iran is the world’s number one state sponsor of terrorism and that the country’s leadership has long sought to target Israel and the United States.

“Iran has been at war with America for a long, long time,” Rouzer said. “They are the world’s number one state- terrorism. Just between now and in years, they’re right on the cusp of having nuclear weapons.”

Rouzer said a strike, Operation Midnight Hammer, destroyed a significant portion of Iran’s nuclear arsenal but did not deter Iranian leadership from continuing to build it.

“I think they went right back to work,” Rouzer said. “Their mission in life, the Iranian leadership, was to annihilate Israel and to annihilate America.”

Rouzer said President Trump sent a letter to the Iranian leadership urging negotiations before military action was taken. When Iran came to the negotiating table, Rouzer said, they indicated their nuclear program was nearly complete and were unwilling to negotiate on that point.

“The president’s number one responsibility is to protect the American people,” Rouzer said.

Rouzer said he mourns with the families of soldiers killed in the conflict.

“We hate for any American to lose their lives in combat,” Rouzer said. “They are contributing to the freedom of this country.”

When asked from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who said reporting on American servicemember casualties was intended to make the president look bad, Rouzer said the American public should have access to all available information.

“I think the American public should have all the information available to them that is available to receive,” Rouzer said.

Rouzer said he has received a classified briefing on the conflict and that administration officials believe the mission will be completed “sooner rather than later,” though he acknowledged that no operation goes precisely as planned.

“I’d say 99% of this operation has gone off without a hitch and been extremely successful so far,” Rouzer said.

Rouzer also addressed made by Sen. Tom Tillis regarding former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. Rouzer said he had not yet reviewed Tillis’s full remarks but noted that DHS is currently shut down because Democrats have refused to vote to fund the department.

Rouzer said Democrats are attempting to force changes to immigration practices related to detaining and deporting individuals in the country illegally with criminal records.

“First order of business is let’s put our political differences to the side, allow our men and women with ICE to do the job that they’re trying to carry out based on the law, and open up the Department of Homeland Security,” Rouzer said.

Rouzer said he supported the Farm Food and National Security Act of 2026, which the House Agriculture Committee voted on in the early morning hours. He said agriculture is North Carolina’s number one industry, representing approximately $113 billion in economic activity.

“Food security is national security,” Rouzer said. “You take a country that can’t produce its own food and fiber, then you’re looking at a country that’s going to fail.”

Rouzer said the bill addresses high input costs and inflation facing farm families in the 7th Congressional District and includes an improved safety net for farmers.

Rouzer said he is also working on a highway reauthorization bill as chairman of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He said current surface transportation programs expire Sept. 30 and that the bill is a must-pass measure for Congress.

Rouzer said the legislation aims to direct more money into formula funds that would benefit North Carolina, and to reduce regulatory burdens that slow road and bridge construction and repair. He cited significant population growth in Southeastern North Carolina as a driver of infrastructure needs in the district.