CT lawmakers react to Iran strikes by U.S. & Israel

Lawmakers are reacting to Saturday’s U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.

Senator Richard Blumenthal and Representative Rosa DeLauro, members of U.S. Congress representing Connecticut, plan to push for a War Powers resolution, which can stop or pause the U.S.’s involvement.

“Against the clear wishes of the American people, President Trump has begun a major war without explaining to the American people what the objectives end game or exit strategy is, with huge potential consequences beyond this administration,” said Blumenthal (D). “War should always be a last resort, not a first choice. This war is a choice made by President Trump, risking, in fact, a forever war. Iran should never have a nuclear weapon, and it should be stopped from developing a ballistic missile program and its terrorist activities throughout the region. It’s killing of its own people. But President Trump has failed to make the case for war. When diplomacy is still within reach.”

DeLauro, also a Democrat, said President Trump should have consulted with Congress before going to war.

“It’s a lawless administration, that doesn’t pay attention to the Constitution,” she said. “But Congress needs to reassert its power and its authority.”

Ben Proto, the chairman of Connecticut’s Republican Party backs the president’s actions:

“Today, President Donald J. Trump has once again demonstrated the clarity and strength that the world so desperately needs. By standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our greatest ally, Israel, the United States has sent an unmistakable message to the radical regime in Tehran, the days of threatening America, American lives, and global security with nuclear blackmail are over. For years, the Iranian regime has exported terror, destabilized the Middle East, and pursued nuclear weapons that could be used against America and could wipe our allies off the map. While Connecticut’s Democrat delegation—led by Senators Murphy and Blumenthal—has spent their time second-guessing our commander-in-chief, trying to appease a regime bent on destroying America, opening our borders to allow terrorists to enter our country, and offering excuses for bad actors, President Trump has taken the necessary steps to eliminate imminent threats and protect our service members abroad. The Connecticut Republican Party stands in full support of our and Israel’s brave men and women in uniform who are executing this mission with precision and courage. We also stand with the people of Iran, who have suffered and been slaughtered under a brutal dictatorship for nearly half a century. As President Trump said, the hour of your freedom is at hand. Peace is only achieved through strength. This operation isn’t just about regional stability; it’s about ensuring that our children and grandchildren inherit a world where this Iranian regime, ‘the bully of the Middle East,’ no longer has the power to hold the world hostage. We pray for the safety of our troops, the good people of Iran, and for a swift conclusion that brings lasting security to not only the American people but the world.”

NBC News reports more than 200 people in Iran have died from airstrikes today.

Lawmakers on both sides say they stand with the people of Iran who have been caught in the middle of this conflict.

Impacts on oil supply hangs in the balance.

Iranian officials have warned that the country’s military will block the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane that handles about 20% of the global oil supply.

“About 20 million barrels of oil pass through the Strait of Hormuz every day. So if that stops, that will definitely affect the oil price globally,” Mohammad Elahee, a Quinnipiac University international business professor said. “Countries such as China, India, Japan and Korea are heavily dependent on that oil. Also, Europe is dependent on Middle Eastern oil. Oil is a global commodity. If the price goes up, we will also feel it at the gas pump in the US and overall, I think oil affects every other sector of the economy.”

For some Iranian Americans, this war is a turning point.

“This is the first time that Iranian people feel that they have finally, received the support that were promised to them from United States,” Ramin Ahmadi from Woodbridge said.

Ahmadi lives in Woodbridge and has family in Iran. He said his family and friends have been dealing with the violent crackdown following weeks of protests.

“This was really a humanitarian emergency, so today’s intervention was very much welcome,” he said.

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