GOP senators call on Trump to deescalate tensions with Iran

Source: The Hill | January 8, 2020 | Jordain Carney

Republican senators are calling for the Trump administration to ratchet down tensions with Iran in the wake of rocket attacks Tuesday night on two Iraqi bases that house U.S. personnel.

The public signaling from GOP lawmakers comes as they await Trump’s reactions to the strikes. 

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a top ally of Trump’s in the Senate, said in a string of tweets that “retaliation for the sake of retaliation is not necessary at this time.”

“What is necessary is to lay out our strategic objectives regarding Iran in a simple and firm fashion,” Graham added.

The objectives, according to Graham, should be stopping Iran’s ballistic missile program and preventing Iran from building a nuclear weapon and supporting of terrorist organizations.

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) added that Trump should “de-escalate” and come to Congress on any potential next steps.

“Whether further military action is warranted is a question that should be answered by Congress. The U.S. should seek to deescalate these raised tensions and I will continue to push to bring our troops back from the region,” Lee said.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) praised Trump for not immediately reacting to the Iranian airstrikes on Tuesday night, specifying that while he believes Trump will “protect American lives and interests” he also wants to “avoid conflict or needless loss of life.”

“I believe the President wants to avoid conflict or needless loss of life but he’s rightly prepared to protect American lives and interests and I hope Iran’s leaders do not miscalculate by questioning our collective will in launching further attacks,” McConnell said.

McConnell, who spoke with Trump last night about Iran’s missile attacks, added that the United States has “the power to exercise restraint and respond at the time and the place of our choosing, if necessary.”

……..

Tagged: , , , , ,

Viewing 1 post (of 1 total)
Viewing 1 post (of 1 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic.