‘Goal is deterring Iran, not war’
WASHINGTON (AP) — Tamping down talk of war, top Trump administration officials told Congress on Tuesday that recent actions by the United States deterred attacks on American forces, but some lawmakers remained deeply skeptical of the White House approach in the Middle East.
After a day of closed-door briefings on Capitol Hill, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said their objective over recent days has been to deter Iran. Now, they want to prevent further escalation, Shanahan said.
“We’re not about going to war. Our biggest focus at this point is to prevent Iranian miscalculation,” Shanahan, flanked by Pompeo, told reporters after back-to-back briefings for the House and Senate. “We do not want the situation to escalate.”
The officials arrived on Capitol Hill as questions mounted over President Donald Trump’s tough talk on Iran and sudden policy shifts in the region. Skeptical Democrats sought out a second opinion, holding their own briefing with former Obama administration officials, former CIA director John Brennan and Wendy Sherman, an architect of the Iran nuclear deal.
The competing closed-door sessions Tuesday came after weeks of escalating tensions that raised alarms over a possible military confrontation with Iran.
Trump, veering between bombast and conciliation in his quest to contain Iran, on Monday threatened to meet provocations by Iran with “great force,” but he also said he is willing to negotiate.
The results of the meetings on Tuesday were mixed, with views settling largely along partisan lines.
Sen. Mitt Romney said the action taken by the Trump administration “is totally appropriate” and sends a message that “if you attack our people, there will be a response.”
Romney characterized it as defensive in nature and meant to deter Iran from “malign” actions.
Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego, a veteran of the Iraq War, left the classified House briefing, saying, “What I heard in there makes it clear that this administration feels that they do not have to come back and talk to Congress (regarding) any action they do in Iran.”
Democrats are particularly concerned the Trump administration may try to rely on nearly 20-year-old war authorizations rather than seek fresh approval from Congress for any action.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he told Pompeo and the others that their consultation with Congress has been “inadequate.” Shanahan said he and the others heard that message and vowed to better communicate with lawmakers and the public.
In recent weeks, the US sent an aircraft carrier strike group, four bomber aircraft and other assets to the region, and is moving a Patriot missile battery to an undisclosed country in the area. The Trump administration has evacuated non-essential personnel from Iraq, amid unspecified threats the administration said are linked to Iran.