The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee yesterday unanimously passed along to the floor a resolution affirming U.S. support for Israel in the event Israel has to militarily take action to degrade Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

According to the text of the resolution on the U.S. Congress’ website, the goal of the resolution is that: “If the Government of Israel is compelled to take military action in legitimate self defense against Iran’s nuclear weapons program, the United States Government should stand with Israel and provide, in accordance with United States law and the constitutional responsibility of Congress to authorize the use of military force, diplomatic, military, and economic support to the Government of Israel in its defense of its territory, people, and existence.”

The bipartisan legislation – which was co-sponsored by 80 Senators – emphasized the shared danger that Iran represents to the United States and Israel, and resolution also noted Iran’s role as a state sponsor of terrorism and the Islamic republic’s support of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria.

The legislation includes amendments added after some observers became confused regarding its language. Senators took particular care to emphasize that – like all legislation – nothing in the bill contradicts unrelated U.S. laws, including Congress’s prerogative to authorize the U.S. to go to war.

[Photo: Mariya Gencheva / Wiki Commons]