WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the statement below following Israel’s airstrikes on Iran.
“First and foremost, I pray for the people of Israel and support its right to defend itself against a nuclear Iran. I have been closely in touch with the administration and the Israelis as these strikes have occurred, and will continue to monitor events in the Middle East closely. The United States is not part of these strikes, and I pray for our brave service men and women stationed in the Middle East who keep America safe, and who will undoubtedly answer the call if Iran miscalculates and responds by attacking American interests. President Trump’s efforts to reach a peaceful resolution with Iran to date should be commended, and the Iranians should strongly reconsider their refusal to come to some sort of deal. Regardless, tonight’s events make it clear that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon—that much is certain. For all its malign behavior over so many years, Iran now stands naked and exposed, without sympathy from civilized, peace-loving peoples.”