Israeli Iranian crisis unites bipartisan US lawmakers during Mideast trip
Two top congressional Iran hawks, Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Iowa, and Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif., recently traveled to the Middle East to meet with leaders and discuss the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. They were in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, gathering information and insights on the situation on the ground.
Rep. Nunn, a retired colonel in the U.S. Air Force, emphasized the need for the U.S. to take a strong stance against Iran’s aggressive actions in the region. He is spearheading the Iranian Maximum Pressure Campaign Act, which aims to give President Donald Trump leverage over Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei. Nunn expressed his full support for Gen. Erik “Gorilla” Kurilla, the CENTCOM commander, and highlighted the threat posed by a nuclear Iran to Israel and other Middle Eastern nations.
During their meetings with Arab allies in the region, both Nunn and Panetta stressed the importance of deterring Iran and preventing further escalation of the conflict. They acknowledged the significant U.S. military presence in the region and the potential threat posed by Iranian proxies already inside the U.S. The lawmakers underscored the need for a united front with Mideast allies to address the Iranian nuclear threat and maintain stability in the region.
Panetta, the son of former CIA Director Leon Panetta, emphasized the bipartisan nature of their delegation and the shared goal of preventing a nuclear-armed Iran. He highlighted the importance of the Abraham Accords forged by Trump in promoting peace and stability in the region. Panetta echoed Nunn’s sentiments regarding the need for the Iranian people to determine the future of their country and emphasized the importance of avoiding boots on the ground in any potential conflict.
Both lawmakers emphasized the need for a diplomatic approach to addressing Iran’s nuclear ambitions and expressed a willingness to work with all parties, including Trump, to find solutions to pressing issues. They underscored the bipartisan agreement on the Iran issue and the shared commitment to supporting Israel’s right to defend itself. As the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to unfold, Nunn and Panetta remain focused on finding peaceful and constructive resolutions to the complex challenges in the Middle East.
