Iran has struck back at the United States for killing a top Revolutionary Guard commander, calling it revenge for the U.S. killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
U.S. officials say Iran fired a series of ballistic missiles at two military bases in Iraq housing American troops. The retaliation risks a dangerous escalation in the Middle East.
Indiana lawmakers reacted via social media Tuesday night.
Sen. Todd Young (R) tweeted that he was praying for American forces stationed in Iraq.
I’m praying for our troops in Iraq. May God be with them and their families. — Senator Todd Young (@SenToddYoung) January 8, 2020
Republican Rep. Jim Banks of District 3 tweeted similar sentiments before penning a Fox News opinion piece in support of President Donald Trump.
Please join me in praying for the safety and security of our troops deployed in Iraq and the nearby region. I have full confidence in our president and the U.S. military, the greatest fighting force in the world. — Jim Banks (@RepJimBanks) January 8, 2020
“The president isn’t merely reacting to Iranian provocations or recklessly barreling toward a tit for tat that will end in World War III,” he wrote. “The president’s recent actions are part of a coherent strategy toward Iran. And that strategy is working.”
Banks says Americans are safe, writing that the U.S. military’s defense budget is almost 40 times as large as that of Iran’s.
Banks calls the crop of remaining Democratic presidential primary candidates “withering” and asserts that Iran will lobby whoever lands the nomination for some diplomatic relief.
He knocks the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), or former President Barack Obama’s Iran Deal, as a failure and says it ultimately funded terrorism in the Middle East and across the world.
Please join me in praying for the safety and security of our troops deployed in Iraq and the nearby region. I have full confidence in our president and the U.S. military, the greatest fighting force in the world. — Jim Banks (@RepJimBanks) January 8, 2020
District 7 Democratic Rep. André Carson tweeted Tuesday night that he was “praying for peace.”
I’m extremely concerned by news of Iran’s attack on military bases in Iraq housing U.S. troops, & I’m watching the situation closely. My prayers are with all our service members, agency personnel, & others in harm’s way and their loved ones. And, as always, I’m praying for peace. — André Carson (@RepAndreCarson) January 8, 2020
Rep. Larry Buschon (R – District 8) tweeted, in part, “Congress will be fully briefed [Wednesday] on the situation. De-escalation is the goal.”
Tonight I am praying for our brave men and women in uniform who are deployed in the Middle East. I am also thinking about their families. Congress will be fully briefed tomorrow on the situation. De-escalation is the goal. That said, we will defend ourselves. — Larry Bucshon, MD (@RepLarryBucshon) January 8, 2020
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
