Strikes against Iran divide lawmakers

President 'should've consulted Congress'

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Top Republicans in Congress swiftly rallied behind President Donald Trump on Saturday after he ordered strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites, even as senior Democrats and some GOP lawmakers condemned it as an unconstitutional move that could drag the United States into a broader war in the Middle East.

In separate statements, the leading Republicans in Congress, Speaker Mike Johnson and Senator John Thune of South Dakota, the majority leader, commended the military operation, calling it a necessary check on Iran‘s ambitions of developing a nuclear weapon. Both men had been briefed on the military action before the strike was carried out, according to three people familiar with the matter who were not authorised to discuss it publicly.

Mr Johnson and Mr Thune both argued that the airstrikes were necessary after Iran had rejected diplomatic overtures to curb its nuclear programme.

“The regime in Iran, which has committed itself to bringing ‘death to America’ and wiping Israel off the map, has rejected all diplomatic pathways to peace,” Mr Thune said.

Mr Johnson argued that the military action was consistent with Mr Trump's muscular foreign policy.

“President Trump has been consistent and clear that a nuclear-armed Iran will not be tolerated,’ he said. “That posture has now been enforced with strength, precision and clarity.”