Mike Rogers: Iran Behind Attack on Israeli Tourists

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers says Iran was responsible for the attack in Bulgaria on Israeli tourists last week.

“I believe there were certainly elements of Hezbollah, and I believe it was under the direction of their masters in Iran,” the Michigan Republican told The Hill  Wednesday.

Rogers’ comments, according to the Hill, went further than any other U.S. official in blaming Iran for the suicide bombing that killed five Israelis, although Iran’s role as a sponsor of Hezabollah, a Lebanese militant group, is well known.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately denounced Iran for the attack on July 18, vowing to “react powerfully against Iranian terror.”

But Rogers said the United States needs to take action as well and he urged President Barack Obama “to call Iran on the carpet very publicly and tell them what we know.”

“This is his time to stand up and do something bold,” he told the Hill.

So far the Obama administration has said it has no confirmation of Iranian involvement. But White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said last week, “It is certainly the case that Hezbollah and Iran have been bad actors, as a general matter. But we’re not, at this point, in a position to make a statement about responsibility.”