Chris Murphy Analyzes Tensions between the US and Iran

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR: What do you think is the risk to Americans today?

SEN. CHRIS MURPHY (D-CT): It has been longstanding policy of the United States to take actions to try to deter Iranian aggression in the region. That aggression has led to the death of hundreds of U.S. soldiers during the conflict in Iraq and they continue to support terrorist elements throughout the region. And so, we need to remember, even at this moment, where there’s going to be a lot of criticism of the president’s actions that we continue to need to have a strategy that understands that Iran is an adversary of the United States and they support dangerous elements throughout the region that pose threats to civilians and to American forces and allies. The question that we’re asking today is whether or not the execution of Qasem Soleimani makes the United States safer. My contention is that it likely does not. In fact, it will lead to a series of reprisals, more military escalation between the United States and Iran that will ultimately get more Americans killed. And given that the president inherited a relationship with Iran in which they had given up their nuclear program, they were not launching attacks against U.S. personnel, this is entirely a conflict of choice by this president. Iran’s behavior cannot be excused, but it didn’t need to go no way.

AMANPOUR: So, the question is, I guess, the ball, as I said to Mr. Marandi, is in in Iran’s court right now. We don’t know what Iran is going to do. But in your situation as members of Congress who believe in the war powers act and being notified, what is your statement today? What is your realistic hope of being able to enact Congress’s prerogative in this particular field, which is conducting war?

MURPHY: Well, first, let’s make it clear, we’re now talking on Monday afternoon, American time, and Congress has still not been briefed on this alleged imminent attack that was about to be lodged against American forces that made it necessary to kill General Soleimani. We apparently are not going to get that briefing until Wednesday. And I think it may speak to the relatively thin evidence that exists that there actually was a set of exigent emergency circumstances that required this attack. The Trump administration now absolutely has the obligation to come to Congress. If it wants to engage in continued military action against Iran, for which there is no current authorization, they need authorization from Congress. And I hope that they will do that on their own. I doubt it, but the process beginning in the House of Representatives this week to bring a war powers resolution before the House is necessary.