Governor Josh Shapiro of Abington Township and Representative Madeleine Dean of Glenside released statements today regarding the Trump administration’s attack of Iran.
According to CNN’s coverage, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in today’s “massive strikes” on Iran by U.S. and Israeli forces. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a 1967 graduate of Cheltenham Township High School, reportedly said there are many signs that Khamenei is “no longer with us.”
President Donald Trump indicated the ongoing military operation is aimed at overturning Tehran’s government. According to NBC News, Israel targeted Iranian political and military leaders, and the U.S. aimed to take out Iran’s ballistic missile and nuclear programs.
Iran has reportedly Iran unleashed strikes on U.S. military bases, Israel and other targets across the Middle East. The U.S. military has reported no combat-related American casualties, CNN said. The Iranian Red Crescent said that more than 200 people have been killed and roughly 700 others have been injured following the attacks, NBC News said.
“Today President Trump acted unilaterally — without Congressional approval and outside of the guardrails set up by our founders in Philadelphia nearly 250 years ago,” Shapiro said in the statement. “In going to war with Iran, the President has not adequately explained why this war is urgent now, what this military campaign may look like, or what the strategic objective is.”
Earlier this week, Shapiro told ABC’s “This Week” that he would appreciate more clarity about President Trump’s plan but has “no sympathy” for the “bad guys” in Iran.
“I’d want to know what the president’s goals are. I’d want to know what his objectives are,” Shapiro said. “We know the Iranians. These are the bad guys. These are the people who are the largest exporter of terrorism around the globe. You will find no sympathy from me when it comes to the Iranians.”
ABC’s video coverage is below:
Dean posted the following this morning:
Today, under the erratic decision-making of an irrational President, the United States launched military strikes against Iran with no plan for what happens next.
This action — done without the constitutionally-mandated consultation of Congress — propels an already fragile, fragmented Middle East into the path of war.
Americans do not want war. Americans do not want to send their sons and daughters into foreign conflict. Americans do not want to live in fear of an ever-escalating, volatile situation.
I remain always grateful for the exquisite work of our brave service members, and I am praying for their safety.
Iran should never possess nuclear weapons, yet President Trump’s actions threaten the safety of nearly 50,000 American troops, and thousands of citizens, in the region.
War begets war. Diplomacy is the path to lasting peace.
Shapiro’s full statement from today is below:
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