President Donald Trump recently announced that the United States has successfully carried out strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. This decision was made public through a post on Trump’s Truth Social account, where he praised the military operation and expressed gratitude to American forces.
The strikes came amid rising tensions between Iran and Israel, following Israel’s preemptive attacks on Iranian military leaders and nuclear facilities. These Israeli actions were viewed by Iran as a declaration of war, leading to heightened concerns about the potential for broader conflict in the region.
Trump’s announcement has sparked significant backlash from lawmakers. Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) quickly criticized the strikes, arguing that they were unconstitutional and lacked congressional approval. They have been advocating for a War Powers Resolution that would limit the president’s ability to engage in military actions without explicit authorization from Congress.
Massie stated, "This is not constitutional," highlighting that Congress holds the exclusive power to declare war according to the Constitution. Khanna echoed this sentiment, calling for Congress to return to Washington to vote on the resolution to prevent further military involvement in the Middle East.
In response to the strikes, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) introduced his own resolution, emphasizing that the American public largely opposes military action against Iran. He questioned the justification for Trump’s decision, especially given that Israeli strikes had already delayed Iran’s nuclear program.
The War Powers Resolution aims to ensure that U.S. military forces are not deployed in hostilities without congressional authorization. It specifically calls for the termination of any unauthorized military actions against Iran. This bipartisan effort has garnered support from both progressive and conservative lawmakers, reflecting a growing concern about U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts.
As the situation unfolds, Trump has stated that all U.S. aircraft involved in the strikes are safely out of Iranian airspace. He concluded his announcement with a call for peace, suggesting that the military action was a necessary step to address threats posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Iran’s response has been firm, with officials stating that they will continue to pursue their nuclear program for peaceful purposes, despite the recent attacks. As tensions escalate, the political landscape in Washington is shifting, with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle pushing for a reevaluation of U.S. military engagement in the region.