Rep. Adam Smith Statement on Trump Administration Employing Military Force Against Iran

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement in response to the Trump Administration employing U.S. military force against Iran.
 
“Overnight, the President ordered preemptive military strikes against Iran. Let me be clear that I oppose these preemptive strikes and am concerned the situation is prone to rapid escalation that puts Americans at risk and threatens to drag us into a war of choice with no strategic endgame.

“This offensive use of military force against Iran, absent congressional authorization, is contrary to domestic and international law. Our system of checks and balances is crucial to ensuring that we adhere to the law and, hopefully, learn from the mistakes of our past.
 
“There is no question that the Iranian regime is guilty of horrific crimes against its own people and conducts destabilization activities in the region. That is why the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was so important for limiting Iran’s nuclear ambitions and allowed access into the country to monitor their nuclear activities. The Trump Administration’s abandonment of that agreement, which was overwhelmingly beneficial to U.S. and regional interests, has left us without a key point of leverage at a critical time.
 
“We absolutely should exert pressure on Iran in order to ensure that they don’t build a nuclear weapon. However, the far more appropriate options for exerting that pressure are continued diplomatic engagement, coalition building with partners and allies in the region, and enforcement of targeted economic sanctions. These options are also far more likely to succeed without risking war with a country with advanced weapons systems and a demonstrated willingness to use those systems against thousands of American service members in the region and beyond.
 
“Make no mistake, the president's actions have dragged the United States into a war of his choosing. Regardless of my opposition to the course of action the president has unilaterally taken, my thoughts are with the brave men and women in uniform, and their families.”

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