President Donald Trump ordered the U.S. military to attack three of Iran’s key nuclear sites early Sunday.
Trump claimed that these 3 targets – Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan – were “completely and fully obliterated” in a televised address to the nation from the White House. The U.S. military used 30,000-pound bunker busters on Fordo, while U.S. submarines also participated in the attacks, launching about 30 Tomahawk land attack missiles, a U.S. official told the Associated Press.
Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) posted a statement on X declaring his support for Trump’s military action:
“Tonight, the United States executed a successful strike on Iran’s nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. All our aircraft are safely out of Iranian airspace and headed home. This was the right call—and a necessary one. Make no mistake: a nuclear Iran is an existential threat—not just to Israel, but to the entire free world. Peace through strength is how we lead. And tonight, the greatest military on Earth delivered —for America, for our allies, and for the cause of global security. God bless our Troops. God bless America. And God Bless the enduring cause of liberty, now and forever. #PeaceThroughStrength“
On the other hand, House critics of Trump’s attack, from Democratic California Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17) to Republican Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie (KY-01), have pointed out that Trump’s actions were “unconstitutional.”
Under Article I, Section 8, Clause 11 of the U.S. Constitution, only Congress has the authority to declare war. The War Powers Resolution, passed in 1973 despite a veto attempt by then President Richard Nixon, established that congressional authorization is also necessary for military strikes and operations not formally declared as war.
“Trump said he would end wars; now he has dragged America into one,” Senator Christopher Van Hollen said in a statement. “His actions are a clear violation of our Constitution – ignoring the requirement that only the Congress has the authority to declare war.”
U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he was “gravely alarmed” the U.S. military operation, calling it a “dangerous escalation.”
“There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control — with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world,” he said in a statement on X. “I call on Member States to de-escalate. There is no military solution. The only path forward is diplomacy.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
