GOP senators confident Trump’s Iran strikes damaged nuclear facilities
Senate Republicans are standing behind President Donald Trump in the wake of a leaked report suggesting that the recent strikes on Iran did not completely destroy the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program. The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) issued a “low confidence” assessment, but Trump and the White House have vehemently denied these claims, insisting that the strikes were successful in crippling Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
Operation Midnight Hammer, as the strikes were dubbed, involved multiple B-2 bombers armed with bunker-busting bombs targeting key facilities in Iran. While the DIA report cast doubt on the effectiveness of the mission, Israeli and Iranian officials have confirmed that the sites were significantly damaged.
Members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Senate Armed Services Committee have expressed their support for the president’s assessment. Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota dismissed the DIA’s findings, citing past inaccuracies in their assessments. He emphasized the devastating impact of the strikes on Iran’s nuclear capabilities, particularly at the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant.
Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker of Mississippi called the DIA report “bogus” and reiterated that the Israeli government believed the facilities were rendered inoperative for years to come. Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota also supported the president’s assertions, noting that there was no inconsistency between the evidence he had seen and Trump’s claims.
Despite the confidence in the success of the strikes, lawmakers are eager to receive more information on the extent of the damage. A briefing scheduled for Thursday afternoon is expected to provide additional clarity on the situation. Senators are keen on obtaining a comprehensive assessment of the facilities, particularly the deeply buried Fordow Plant.
Should further intelligence indicate that the nuclear program was not fully destroyed, senators are open to the possibility of authorizing another strike. However, they believe that all options should be considered before taking such action. Rounds emphasized the importance of keeping all options on the table while exploring alternative approaches to handling the situation.
As the situation continues to unfold, Senate Republicans remain steadfast in their support of President Trump and his administration. The briefing on Thursday will offer valuable insights into the aftermath of the strikes and help lawmakers make informed decisions moving forward.
