WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a statement after the announcement of a temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran:
“I welcome the announcement of a temporary ceasefire. De-escalation is a long-overdue step after over a month of war without a clear purpose and with mounting costs for the American people. I urge all parties to extend this diplomatic momentum to the conflict in Lebanon and quickly deescalate the fighting there as well.
“Even as I urge a lasting end to the conflict with Iran, we must also have a real accounting of what President Trump's war achieved. After weeks of combat, 13 American service members killed and enormous disruption to the global economy, President Trump has seemingly managed to replace Iran’s Supreme Leader with his hardliner son and equally dangerous IRGC officials. At the same time, I remain deeply concerned that U.S. actions may have incentivized Iran’s pursuit of a nuclear weapon. The American people are also paying the price of President Trump’s war, with the cost of gas rising dramatically since the beginning of the conflict; Iran poised to further weaponize the Strait of Hormuz; and the ongoing shock to the global economy. None of this makes Americans safer or our people better off.
“Diplomacy is the only way forward. There must now be an intensive diplomatic effort, alongside our allies, to conclude this conflict and ensure Iran does not develop a nuclear weapon.”
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