President Trump says U.S. navy strikes on Iran “obliterated” Tehran’s nuclear program. Though it can take time to know the complete extent of the injury. In the meantime, Democratic lawmakers have been crucial of the motion.
MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:
Israel has struck a jail in Iran – that based on Israel and Iranian state media. Iranian state media additionally says Israel has struck the Fordo nuclear web site. The Israeli navy has not but commented. President Trump says Iran’s key nuclear enrichment services have been obliterated, however that is one thing that specialists query.
LEILA FADEL, HOST:
The pinnacle of the Worldwide Atomic Vitality Company, the U.N. watchdog company, Rafael Grossi, is asking for a ceasefire.
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RAFAEL GROSSI: We now have a window of alternative to return to dialogue and diplomacy. If that window closes, violence and destruction may attain unthinkable ranges.
MARTIN: With us now could be NPR White Home correspondent Deepa Shivaram. Good morning, Deepa.
DEEPA SHIVARAM, BYLINE: Hey. Good morning.
MARTIN: So what has the White Home mentioned because the strike, and are they anxious about any type of retaliation from Iran?
SHIVARAM: So we actually have not heard a lot from the president on this concern, however administration officers, like Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth, held a briefing yesterday morning. Vice President JD Vance additionally spoke to a number of of the Sunday exhibits defending the president’s determination. Here is Vance chatting with NBC’s “Meet The Press” yesterday.
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JD VANCE: We now have no real interest in a protracted battle. We now have no real interest in boots on the bottom. The president has truly been one of many fiercest critics of 25 years of failed international coverage within the Center East, which is why he did what he did.
SHIVARAM: And Vance mentioned it could be, quote, “a catastrophic mistake” if Iran had been to retaliate towards the U.S. in any means. Iran, although, has mentioned it reserves all choices in responding to the U.S. And Iran’s parliament additionally authorized closing the Strait of Hormuz, which may affect oil costs, however that call shouldn’t be but last.
MARTIN: And the way has the information been taking part in out in Washington over the weekend? Most congressional leaders weren’t even briefed on the assault till after it occurred. How have they responded?
SHIVARAM: Effectively, predictably, Democrats have been extraordinarily crucial of the strike. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, for instance, mentioned it was grounds for impeachment. And in addition, predictably, most Republicans have stood behind the president, however there have been just a few which have mentioned that the White Home’s determination was unconstitutional as a result of it is Congress that has the authority to approve the usage of pressure, not the president, although I’ll say it has been many years since Congress truly used that authority. So somebody like GOP consultant Thomas Massie – he posted on social media concerning the constitutionality of Trump’s determination. After which yesterday, Trump went after Massie in a prolonged social media publish, saying he would marketing campaign to unseat him and known as him weak and ineffective.
However I’ll say, in the case of public opinion, although, one ballot earlier than the U.S. strike on Iran confirmed that the majority Individuals assume the U.S. navy should not become involved within the battle. Within the aftermath of the assault, although, it is most likely too quickly to inform what public opinion will say. However one factor to remember is that President Trump is somebody who ran his marketing campaign speaking about how the U.S. would not become involved in additional international wars. Simply yesterday, although, the president posted on social media, elevating the concept that there might be a regime change in Iran. And advocating for a regime change may probably get the U.S. extra concerned in a battle that there may not be public help for.
MARTIN: The president is meant to go away tomorrow for the NATO summit within the Netherlands. How is Trump’s determination going to return up amongst European allies? How do you assume it’ll play out?
SHIVARAM: Yeah. Effectively, there are some NATO allies who’ve spoken out about the specter of Iran’s nuclear program already. So it is attainable that Trump receives some help from European allies about his determination to strike Iran. For instance, U.Okay. prime minister Keir Starmer posted on X and mentioned that the U.S. took motion to alleviate the specter of Iran’s nuclear program. However I’ll say the principle focus of the summit shall be making an attempt to get NATO members to spend extra on their protection, which is one thing Trump has been actually crucial about for years.
MARTIN: That’s NPR’s Deepa Shivaram. Deepa, thanks.
SHIVARAM: Thanks.
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