By Staff Reporter |
Arizona’s elected leaders reacted along a partisan divide to the U.S. attack to liberate Iran from the Islamic regime.
Arizona’s Republican congressional officials have signaled support for President Donald Trump’s decision to launch a joint military operation against Iran, and called for an end to the partial government shutdown to ensure full funding for this military venture.
Arizona’s Democratic officials oppose the attack. They are looking to compel a vote on the War Powers Resolution, though all conceded their opposition to the continued existence of the Iranian regime.
Early Saturday morning, the U.S. and Israel attacked over a dozen areas across Iran, at least, including the capital Tehran. The attacks resulted from Iran’s failures to meet nuclear negotiations. Iran retaliated with missile strikes without success.
Key fatalities include several senior Iranian officials. The fate of Iran’s longtime supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, remains disputed as of this report. A spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry claimed Khamenei was alive. However, President Donald Trump announced on Saturday afternoon that Khamenei was dead.
“[Khamenei] was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do. This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country,” said Trump.
Trump said the bombings would continue until peace was achieved in the Middle East.
Trump urged Iranians to conduct a regime change in an address shared to social media early Saturday morning. Trump said the U.S. attacked Iran to eliminate threats to the American regime.
“I say tonight that the hour of freedom is at hand,” said Trump. “When we are finished, take over your government, it will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations. For many years you have asked for America’s help but you never got it. No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight.”
To the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, armed forces, and police, Trump advised them to cease their resistance.
“Lay down your arms and you will be treated fairly with total immunity, or you will face certain death,” said Trump.
Rep. Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ08) called on Democrats in Congress to end the partial government shutdown in order to provide full funding to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ06) said Iran chose this escalation, not the U.S.
“Today’s action by President Trump sends a clear message: the Iranian regime’s aggression and destabilizing threats will not go unanswered,” said Ciscomani. “For decades, the Iranian regime has funded terror, attacked our allies, and threatened American servicemembers.”
Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ03) expressed reluctance to recognize Trump’s authority to launch a war without congressional authorization. Ansari’s parents came to the U.S. as Iranian refugees of the Islamic regime.
“Consistent with my previous votes, public statements, and the consensus in my district, I believe no president — Republican or Democrat — has the authority to launch military strikes of this magnitude without Congressional approval,” said Ansari. “I want a free Iran and a future of democracy and dignity for the Iranian people. Those goals must be part of a coherent strategy that does not risk chaos or another endless war in the Middle East and require seriousness and leadership equal to the stakes.”
Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ04) said none would mourn the collapse of the Islamic Republic, but that Trump was wrong for launching such an attack.
“[T]he United States cannot be dragged into another open-ended foreign war. Americans know the cost of conflicts with no clear strategy, no defined objectives, and no end in sight, and they do not want to repeat those mistakes,” said Stanton.
Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ07) accused Trump of entering the U.S. into another “forever war,” characterizing this latest attack as both reckless and needless.
“Taking the United States into a major military conflict without debate or the consent of the people’s representatives is a clear violation of Congress’s constitutional war powers,” said Grijalva.
Sen. Ruben Gallego claimed there was another pathway for the U.S. supporting Iranian regime change without going to war.
“Young working-class kids should not pay the ultimate price for regime change and a war that hasn’t been explained or justified to the American people,” said Gallego. “Strikes are underway and Congress hasn’t voted. No President gets to drag working-class Americans into another war without authorization.”
Sen. Mark Kelly, like Grijalva, questioned Trump’s promise of keeping the U.S. out of war.
“The Iranian people deserve freedom. They deserve the right to choose their own leaders. So, what’s the plan for what comes next?” said Kelly. “I don’t think Donald Trump knows the answer, and that’s dangerous when American lives are on the line.”
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