U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst’s (R-IA) bipartisan bill, the Space Technology and Regional Security (STARS) Act, would improve space and satellite security cooperation among the United States and its Middle East allies.
Introduced on June 5 with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV), S. 4482 would mandate that the Department of Defense (DoD) develop a strategy and data-sharing agreement to protect allies in the Middle East from hostile threats posed by Iranian space activities.
Sens. Ernst and Rosen serve as co-chairs of the bipartisan Senate Abraham Accords Caucus and have worked together to defend U.S. partners in the Middle East against Iran’s hostility by improving security cooperation.
“The next step to ending Iranian aggression is by deepening the United States’ international space partnerships to improve awareness of the Middle East,” Sen. Ernst said. “After the success of the DEFEND Act and MARITIME Act in intercepting Iran-backed attacks at land and sea, the STARS Act will adapt this model to space and use 21st Century technology to deter Iran.”
The MARITIME Act was signed into law in 2023. It requires the Department of Defense to work with partners in the Middle East to counter maritime threats posed by Iran. The DEFEND Act became law during the last Congress and establishes an air and missile defense architecture with Israel and other Middle East allies.
“As Iran and its terrorist proxies escalate their aggression against Israel and continue to destabilize the Middle East, it’s critical that we work with our allies in the region to bolster collaboration in all areas of defense,” Sen. Rosen said.