Interior Secretary Doug Burgum warned that Iran’s proxy networks in Venezuela could have targeted U.S. cities, including Washington, D.C., with intermediate-range ballistic missiles if the Trump administration had not acted decisively. Speaking at the CERAWeek oil and energy conference in Houston, Burgum emphasized the administration’s efforts to neutralize this threat, citing Iran’s missile strike on the U.S. military base Diego Garcia as evidence of its growing capabilities.
"If there was an Iranian ballistic missile placed in Venezuela, it could not just reach Houston; it can reach Washington, D.C.," Burgum said.
Burgum accused Iran of deliberately misleading international agencies about its missile range, noting that Tehran claimed a limit of 1,200 miles before launching missiles over 2,400 miles to strike Diego Garcia. This capability would have put major U.S. cities, including Houston, Miami, and New York City, within range if missiles were stationed in Venezuela.
Trump Administration’s Role in Neutralizing the Threat
The Trump administration’s covert military operation in Venezuela on January 3, which led to the arrest of former leader Nicolás Maduro, effectively eliminated Venezuela as a missile threat. Burgum highlighted that Venezuela is now transitioning into a potential energy partner for the U.S., with interim President Delcy Rodríguez expressing interest in American investment to develop its oil and gas reserves.
Burgum concluded that the administration’s actions have made the world safer, reducing the risk premium in global energy markets and ensuring the U.S. remains secure from foreign missile threats.