Virginia leaders share varied reactions on US and Israel attack on Iran

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Multiple Virginia lawmakers have responded after the U.S. and Israel launched an attack on Iran Saturday morning.

On Saturday, Feb. 28, President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. and Israel have launched an attack on Iran, and several Virginia lawmakers have issued a response.

Trump has reported that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was one of the people killed during Saturday morning's attack.

Below are the mixed reactions of responses from Virginia lawmakers:

U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), who serves as Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, shared his criticism of the attacks and shared the following response in a press release.

Overnight, the president conducted expansive U.S. strikes – not limited to nuclear or missile infrastructure but extending to a broad set of targets, including senior Iranian leadership – marking a deeply consequential decision that risks pulling the United States into another broad conflict in the Middle East.

Iran’s leadership has long supported terrorism across the region, undermined regional stability, continued to advance its nuclear ambitions, and brutally repressed its own people. But acknowledging those realities does not relieve any president of the responsibility to act within the law, with a clear strategy, and with Congress.

The American people have seen this playbook before – claims of urgency, misrepresented intelligence, and military action that pulls the United States into regime change and prolonged, costly nation-building. We owe it to our service members, and to every American family, to ensure that we are not repeating the mistakes of the past. The president owes the country clear answers: What is the objective? What is the strategy to prevent escalation? And how does this make Americans safer?

By the president’s own words, ‘American heroes may be lost.’ That alone should have demanded the highest level of scrutiny, deliberation, and accountability, yet the president moved forward without seeking congressional authorization. The Constitution is clear: the decision to take this nation to war rests with Congress, and launching large-scale military operations – particularly in the absence of an imminent threat to the United States – raises serious legal and constitutional concerns. Congress must be fully briefed, and the administration must come forward with a clear legal justification, a defined end state, and a plan that avoids dragging the United States into yet another costly and unnecessary war. U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA)

Congressman John McGuire (R, VA-05) commended the president on the attack and his work on keeping nuclear weapons away from terrorists. MCGuire hosted a meeting where he stated the following:

To the Iranian regime to abandon the pursuit of a nuclear weapons and cease the killing of innocent civilians. I think we all agree we cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. Despite these warnings, Iran is number one sponsor of terror, has continued to stabilize and actions across the region attacking several of its neighbors and escalating tensions as the threat of nuclear armed Iran grew.
The United States, alongside its ally Israel, have launched a series of targeted strikes. This moment may represent a critical opportunity for the Iranian people to confront the oppression of their government and pursue a future defined by freedom itself to determination. President Trump has expressed support for the Iranian people and seeking change. The United States is acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, to protect American interests at home and abroad, and to stand with those who desire a more peaceful and stable future.
So my message to fellow Americans, myself and stay vigilant and let's keep an eye on each other. We know they have proxies all over the world and please keep our brave men and women in our military in your thoughts and prayers. Congressman John McGuire (R, VA-05)

Senator Tim Kaine (D), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, disagreed with Trump's actions and stated in a press release that U.S. citizens want lower prices, not war.

Has President Trump learned nothing from decades of U.S. meddling in Iran and forever wars in the Middle East? Is he too mentally incapacitated to realize that we had a diplomatic agreement with Iran that was keeping its nuclear program in check, until he ripped it up during his first term?

For months, I have raised hell about the fact that the American people want lower prices, not more war—especially wars that aren’t authorized by Congress, as required by the Constitution, and don’t have a clear objective. These strikes are a colossal mistake, and I pray they do not cost our sons and daughters in uniform and at embassies throughout the region their lives. The Senate should immediately return to session and vote on my War Powers Resolution to block the use of U.S. forces in hostilities against Iran. Every single Senator needs to go on the record about this dangerous, unnecessary, and idiotic action. Senator Tim Kaine (D)

Congressman Robert “Bobby” Scott (D, Va.-03) has expressed his disagreement with the president and his concern that this attack has put U.S. citizens in danger.

President Trump was elected on a promise to end forever conflicts and regime change wars. He has done the opposite. Early this morning, he announced a major military operation against Iran without authorization from Congress. By the President’s own admission, this operation will endanger U.S. personnel and this action risks drawing the U.S. and our allies into a wider conflict.

The Iranian regime brutalizes their own people and funds many terrorist groups throughout the Middle East. However, we know from the failures of the 2003 War in Iraq what can happen when we lack a clearly defined endgame that prevents the U.S. from being drawn into another quagmire. We previously reached a diplomatic solution that would have avoided war and prevented Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon when President Obama successfully negotiated the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015. This agreement was broadly supported by the international community and Iran was complying until President Trump withdrew the U.S. from the JCPOA in 2018. We would not be in this mess now if the President had not withdrawn from that agreement.

There were renewed talks with Iran that showed a diplomatic path remained open which President Trump abandoned in favor of military hostilities that put American lives in danger. The Constitution is clear. The decision to go to war requires Congressional authorization. Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D, VA-03)

Congressman Eugene Vindman (D, Va.-07) released a statement condemning the attack on Iran and expressing his concern about how Americans will be killed due to this conflict.

This morning, President Trump again broke his promise to the American people to stop pursuing wars of choice in the Middle East.

The President ordered “major combat operations” in Iran attacking targets including senior Iranian leadership with the apparent goal of regime change. This war has no legal justification under domestic or international law.

As an Army veteran who served in Iraq, I’m left asking one question: How does this war end?

President Trump doesn’t know, and, worse, he doesn’t care. He and his team are incapable of a sound strategy to succeed.

He said in his speech justifying the strikes, “The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost.” He is too eager to make a sacrifice that service members and their families will bear.

It should never be the case that the United States puts our sons and daughters in harm’s way without a clear purpose, path to victory, and exit strategy.

I have said before that wars are easy to start and hard to finish, and regime change from the air is very unlikely to succeed. President Trump has exposed our troops, citizens, and allies to great risk from Iran in the form of ballistic missiles and terrorist attacks. Make no mistake, American blood and treasure will be consumed in this war of choice.

The Iranian regime is evil. They have brutally suppressed their own people — most recently murdering tens of thousands of their own citizens demanding freedom — and long sponsored terrorist attacks across the world. My twin brother, Alex, was wounded by an Iranian IED while serving in Iraq.

There is no love lost between me and the Iranian regime, and the world would be better off without them.

But the decision to go to war rests with Congress because the Founders knew such consequential decisions require the assent of the people. President Trump has ignored that obligation again, and I dread it will lead to another war in the Middle East that the American people do not want.

Trump is not a President of peace. He is a President of chaos and war.

My thoughts are now firmly with American service members who will bear the brunt of President Trump’s ill-advised adventure. Congressman Eugene Vindman (D, Va.-07)

Republican Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) shared his support to Trump in a social media post.

For decades the Iranian regime has oppressed and murdered its citizens, supported terror groups that have killed countless Americans, and destabilized an entire region. In recent years, the regime has aggressively pursued a nuclear weapon and long-range missiles capable of striking American interest and our partners and allies. A secular, democratic, non-nuclear Iran is good for the United States, the Middle East, and the people of Iran who wish to enjoy the same freedoms we cherish as Americans. I am grateful for the brave men and women of our armed forces who have put themselves in harm’s way for the good of our nation and the world. Congressman Rob Wittman (R, VA-01)

Jen Kiggans (R, VA-02) also shared her support for the president in a social media post. She stated that it was dangerous for Americans as Iran became closer to obtaining nuclear weapons.

Today’s actions against Iran are a direct response to the escalating global threat the regime poses to democracy, the United States, and our allies throughout the region. For decades, Iran has sponsored terrorism, destabilized the Middle East, and openly called for death to America. As it moved closer to obtaining nuclear capabilities, the risk to global security has become too great to ignore.

The United States does not seek conflict, but we will not tolerate a nuclear-armed Iran or continued aggression against our interests and our allies. Today’s decisive military action sends a clear message: threats to the safety and security of the American people and the free world will be met with strength and resolve.

As a former Navy helicopter pilot, I understand the weight of sending American servicemembers into harm’s way. The men and women of our Armed Forces represent the very best of our nation. They deserve our full support, the resources necessary to accomplish their mission, and the unwavering gratitude of a free people.

I stand firmly behind our troops and remain deeply grateful for their courage and commitment as they defend the freedoms that make the United States a beacon of strength and opportunity around the world.

May God bless our servicemembers and may God bless the United States of America. Jen Kiggans (R, VA-02)

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