Washington: US lawmakers from both parties have raised concerns about the strategy and potential consequences of the US-Israeli war on Iran following a classified congressional briefing. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy said on Tuesday that the Trump administration's plans for the war appear incoherent and incomplete following the two-hour closed-door briefing.
According to TRTworld.com, Murphy expressed his apprehensions on social media, stating that the plans could result in significant financial expenditure and loss of American lives without achieving a clear objective. He noted that the administration's strategy does not include the destruction of Iran's nuclear weapons program or regime change in Tehran. Instead, the primary focus appears to be on targeting Iranian missiles, boats, and drone factories.
Murphy raised concerns about the potential for an ongoing conflict, questioning what would happen once bombing stops and production restarts in Iran. He also noted the absence of a clear plan for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route, if Iran disrupts it.
Other Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Richard Blumenthal, echoed Murphy's concerns. Blumenthal warned that the conflict could lead to the deployment of US ground troops in Iran, expressing dissatisfaction and anger after the briefing by senior officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, about the joint attacks launched by the US and Israel on Iran on February 28.
Senator Elizabeth Warren criticized the financial burden of the war, highlighting the disparity between military spending and domestic needs. She pointed out the lack of funds for millions of Americans who lost their health care compared to the billion dollars a day being spent on bombing Iran.
Some Republicans have also voiced reservations. Senator Rand Paul questioned the imminent threat posed by Iran and criticized the notion of using foreign policy to liberate oppressed people, warning that such a strategy could lead to endless wars. Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina expressed her opposition to sending American troops into another Middle East conflict, contrasting with South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham's call for the state's residents to support the military efforts.
Tensions in the Middle East have escalated following the joint US-Israeli attack on Iran, which began on February 28 and has resulted in over 1,200 deaths, including Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei. The Pentagon reported that around 140 US service members have been wounded and eight killed in the first 10 days of the military offensive.