We need a clear strategy on Iran

We are not mourning the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who oppressed and killed his own people, and is responsible for the murders of Americans, Israelis, and Jews around the world. We stand with American troops and Americans in the region, the Israeli people and military, and our Gulf partners as they defend against ongoing Iranian missile and drone attacks.

We are mourning the lives of four U.S. service members and twelve Israelis tragically lost, are praying for those injured, and are deeply concerned about President Trump’s shifting objectives on Iran. When he initiated the war on Saturday morning, Donald Trump indicated it was to bring about regime change. Earlier today, his Secretary of Defense asserted, “This is not a so-called regime change war.”

On Saturday, President Trump falsely claimed Iran was building missiles that could hit the United States. In closed-door meetings, the administration admitted this was not the case, and there was no sign that Iran planned to attack the United States. On Saturday, the president said operations would last a week or more; yesterday, he said it would be “four weeks or less.”

There is also skepticism among U.S. officials that regime change in Iran can be achieved. This was exacerbated by President Trump’s assertion today that “The [initial] attack was so successful it knocked out most of the candidates [to take over]. It’s not going to be anybody that we were thinking of because they are all dead. Second or third place is dead.”

Given the lack of a clearly articulated strategy from this White House about its objectives in Iran, we are gravely concerned about the safety and security of American troops, Israelis, and other civilians in the region. This is why we support passage of the bipartisan War Powers Resolutions, which will be considered by the Senate and House later this week, because it will require transparency and deliberative consideration of the president’s strategy in Iran.

The War Powers Resolutions had been introduced in Congress before operations began in Iran on Saturday morning. Now that the war is ongoing, the resolutions will be considered this week, requiring the president to seek approval for continued military operations and hand the power to authorize military force back to Congress.

President Trump must abide by the law and present a clear strategy. This is why we urge every member of the Senate and House to reassert their constitutionally mandated authority over the use of U.S. military force and support the War Powers Resolution when it comes before them for a vote this week. Join us.

Halie Soifer
CEO, Jewish Democratic Council of America