Ranking Member Shaheen Statement on President Trump's Attack on Iran

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a statement on the United States' preemptive attack on Iran:

"The Iranian regime has murdered Americans and its own people and has been a deeply destabilizing force in the region. No one will be sad to see them go. However, I am deeply concerned about the President's lack of clear strategy for yet another open-ended war and particularly for the safety of our troops, American citizens and U.S. interests in the Middle East region. While the long-term diplomatic strategy was similarly not articulated or clearly planned for before the strikes in Venezuela, Iran is very different - and much more dangerous with a large missile arsenal, more sophisticated armed forces and a network of proxy groups.

"The President has shown a disappointingly cavalier approach towards the use of force, even when it risks the lives of the tens of thousands of U.S. service members and diplomats in the region as well as our allies and partners, who are already under attack. The American people expect and deserve better from their President.

"The President has also failed to address critical questions about the objectives, authorization, economic impact and potential for rapid escalation. The American people and Congress deserve immediate answers. Transparency and a clear articulation of long-term objectives are critical to preventing yet another open-ended conflict in the Middle East and ensuring the safety of Americans at home and abroad. There is a bipartisan war powers resolution on the floor now, ready for a vote. Before this entanglement grows, Congress should come back into session and vote on it immediately."

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