The rationale behind these strikes is unclear. Secretary of State Marco Rubio originally said on Monday that President Donald Trump carried out these attacks because Israel was ready to act first. Then yesterday, Rubio walked back his statement saying the president actually made the decision to attack Iran because it presented *** unique opportunity to maximize the chance for success to take out Iran’s capability of having nuclear weapons. President Trump told reporters earlier Tuesday the US attacked Iran because Iran was going to attack first. Yesterday, the administration briefed lawmakers about the operation. Many Democrats remain concerned the administration does not have *** clear path forward, but most Republicans are supportive of the mission abroad. In the meantime, explosions continue to ring out across the Middle East. The US consulate in Dubai was hit. An Iranian drone on Tuesday, Rubio said everyone has been accounted for. The State Department is urging Americans to leave more than *** dozen Middle Eastern countries, but many are stranded. Rubio said the US is working on an evacuation plan. There will be *** variety of methods charter flights, military flights and transports, expanded commercial opportunities, and in some cases land routes that will allow them to go to. In countries who might have open airports at that point here on Capitol Hill, the Senate is going to be voting on the war powers resolution, and *** similar bill will be voted on tomorrow by the House, which would ultimately limit President Trump’s ability to carry out further strikes in Iran. But even if the bill passes the Republican-controlled Congress, it will almost certainly be vetoed by the president. On Capitol Hill, I’m Rachel Hirsheimer.
‘They were going to attack, if we didn’t do it’: Rationale behind strikes in Iran remains unclear
The Trump administration faces mixed messaging over its decision to attack Iran, as the White House works to evacuate Americans and diplomats from the region.
As attacks continue across the Middle East, the Trump administration is sending mixed messages regarding its objectives in Iran and has shifted its rationale for the war. Secretary of State Marco Rubio initially stated that President Donald Trump carried out the attacks because Israel was ready to act first. On Monday, Rubio said, “It was abundantly clear that if Iran came under attack by anyone, the United States or Israel or anyone, they were going to respond and respond against the United States.”However, on Tuesday, Rubio revised his statement, saying the president decided to attack Iran because it presented a unique opportunity with maximum chance for success to eliminate Iran’s capability of having nuclear weapons. “The bottom line is this: The president determined we were not going to get hit first. It’s that simple, guys. We are not going to put American troops in harm’s way,” Rubio said.Trump told reporters that the U.S. attacked Iran because Iran was going to attack first.”We were having negotiations with these lunatics, and it was my opinion that they were going to attack first. They were going to attack. If we didn’t do it, they were going to attack first. I felt strongly about that,” Trump said.Yesterday, the administration briefed lawmakers about the operation, with many Democrats expressing concern that the administration lacks a clear path forward, while most Republicans support the mission abroad. “Once again, the answers are very unsatisfying. They have shifting goals, different goals all the time, different answers every day,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said.Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma said the president “did the world a favor.” “How about we say, ‘Thank you, Mr. President, for finally getting rid of this nuisance,'” he said.In the meantime, explosions continue to ring out across the Middle East. The U.S. consulate in Dubai was hit by an Iranian drone on Tuesday. Rubio said everyone has been accounted for. Rubio also said Tuesday the U.S. is going to ramp up its military attacks in the next few hours and days, adding the “two most powerful air forces in the world will take apart the terroristic regime.” According to officials with the Iranian Red Crescent Society, a humanitarian aid group, nearly 800 people have been killed in Iran.The Pentagon reports six U.S. service members have been killed since the start of the war.Admiral Brad Cooper, the commander overseeing the operation, said more than 50,000 U.S. troops are involved in the attacks, carrying out around-the-clock strikes on Iran that have already hit more than 2,000 targets. He said their plan is ahead of schedule. The State Department is urging Americans to leave more than a dozen Middle Eastern countries, but many are stranded. Rubio said the U.S. is working on an evacuation plan.”It will be a variety of methods: charter flights, military flights and transports, expanded commercial opportunities, and, in some cases, land routes that will allow them to go to neighboring countries who might have open airports at that point,” Rubio said.On Capitol Hill, the Senate is expected to vote on the war powers resolution today, and the House will vote on a similar bill tomorrow, which aims to limit the president’s ability to carry out more strikes in Iran. Even if it passes the Republican-controlled Congress, it will almost certainly be vetoed by the president.Keep watching for the latest from the Washington News Bureau:
As attacks continue across the Middle East, the Trump administration is sending mixed messages regarding its objectives in Iran and has shifted its rationale for the war.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio initially stated that President Donald Trump carried out the attacks because Israel was ready to act first.
On Monday, Rubio said, “It was abundantly clear that if Iran came under attack by anyone, the United States or Israel or anyone, they were going to respond and respond against the United States.”
However, on Tuesday, Rubio revised his statement, saying the president decided to attack Iran because it presented a unique opportunity with maximum chance for success to eliminate Iran’s capability of having nuclear weapons.
“The bottom line is this: The president determined we were not going to get hit first. It’s that simple, guys. We are not going to put American troops in harm’s way,” Rubio said.
Trump told reporters that the U.S. attacked Iran because Iran was going to attack first.
“We were having negotiations with these lunatics, and it was my opinion that they were going to attack first. They were going to attack. If we didn’t do it, they were going to attack first. I felt strongly about that,” Trump said.
Yesterday, the administration briefed lawmakers about the operation, with many Democrats expressing concern that the administration lacks a clear path forward, while most Republicans support the mission abroad.
“Once again, the answers are very unsatisfying. They have shifting goals, different goals all the time, different answers every day,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said.
Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma said the president “did the world a favor.” “How about we say, ‘Thank you, Mr. President, for finally getting rid of this nuisance,'” he said.
In the meantime, explosions continue to ring out across the Middle East. The U.S. consulate in Dubai was hit by an Iranian drone on Tuesday. Rubio said everyone has been accounted for.
Rubio also said Tuesday the U.S. is going to ramp up its military attacks in the next few hours and days, adding the “two most powerful air forces in the world will take apart the terroristic regime.”
According to officials with the Iranian Red Crescent Society, a humanitarian aid group, nearly 800 people have been killed in Iran.
The Pentagon reports six U.S. service members have been killed since the start of the war.
Admiral Brad Cooper, the commander overseeing the operation, said more than 50,000 U.S. troops are involved in the attacks, carrying out around-the-clock strikes on Iran that have already hit more than 2,000 targets. He said their plan is ahead of schedule.
The State Department is urging Americans to leave more than a dozen Middle Eastern countries, but many are stranded. Rubio said the U.S. is working on an evacuation plan.
“It will be a variety of methods: charter flights, military flights and transports, expanded commercial opportunities, and, in some cases, land routes that will allow them to go to neighboring countries who might have open airports at that point,” Rubio said.
On Capitol Hill, the Senate is expected to vote on the war powers resolution today, and the House will vote on a similar bill tomorrow, which aims to limit the president’s ability to carry out more strikes in Iran. Even if it passes the Republican-controlled Congress, it will almost certainly be vetoed by the president.
Keep watching for the latest from the Washington News Bureau: