WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, released the following statement after the United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran:
“I am praying for the safety of our service members and the many civilians in the Middle East in harm’s way today. President Trump’s military campaign against Iran and call for regime change are the beginning of a reckless new war of choice with no clear strategy and no clear endpoint. This is not how a democracy goes to war. Less than five years after the end of the longest war in American history, the United States is once again staring down another open-ended conflict with a hostile country in the Middle East that could cost the lives of many American service members. This is not a limited, defensive strike, but rather a full-throated declaration of war that does not clearly serve the interests of or reflect the wishes of the American people.
“The Iranian regime is evil. It has supported and exported terrorism. It has the blood of many Americans on its hands from its attacks across the decades against American troops and interests, as well as the thousands of Iranians massacred while protesting the regime. However, President Trump and his administration have failed to make the case that it poses an imminent threat to the American people. The administration also failed to extract all they could through diplomacy with a regime that is as weak as it has ever been. This is an illegal war launched without meaningful consultation or the consent of Congress. At a time when we face significant threats from an aggressive China and Russia, choosing to launch a war with Iran brings significant risks, and Congress should rein in this dangerous president before he can do more harm to American service members and national interests.”