King Statement on Rising Tensions Between U.S., Iran

WASHINGTON, D.C. -U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) today released a statement as tensions grow in the Middle East after the President's Easter Morning threat to escalate the U.S. bombing campaign to include civilian targets if Iran refuses to open the Strait of Hormuz.

"The President's unhinged post Easter Sunday morning saying that Tuesday is "Power Plant Day" in Iran followed by an interview where he continued, "I am blowing up everything over there" are gravely dangerous to our country on two levels.

The first is moral and legal. Attacking civilian infrastructure without a direct military purpose but with a disproportionate impact on civilians is a war crime and puts the United States in the same category as Putin's Russia. It also hastens our transition from the unquestioned leader of the free world to a lonely pariah state without allies or even friends.

The second outcome is more practical and immediate. Iran's response to such an attack will almost certainly be major strikes on oil infrastructure throughout the Middle East which will make the impact of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz look like child's play. $8.00 a gallon gas and world-wide recession would be just the start. And remember, the Strait of Hormuz was open before we started this war.

The best result now would be for the President to declare victory (as he has half a dozen times already), cease the bombing, and let the international community sort out the aftermath. No more risk to our brave troops, no greater damage to our economy, no perpetration of war crimes, and no more blows to our tattered reputation."

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Senator King is recognized as an authoritative voice on national security and foreign policy issues. Immediately following the American airstrikes in Iran, he released a statement asking for answers and consultation with Congress before proceeding with further military action in the Middle East. Senator King is also a co-sponsor to the War Powers Resolution (S.J. Res 104).