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Updated Monday, Jan. 6 at 1:55 p.m.
The United States killed Iran's top general in an airstrike early Friday at Baghdad's international airport.
The Defense Department says it targeted Gen. Qassem Soleimani, leader of Iran's elite Quds Force, because he was planning attacks on American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is warning that a “harsh retaliation is waiting” for the U.S. after the airstrike.
Soleimani's death is the latest in a series of escalating incidents tracing back to President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw America from Iran's nuclear deal with world powers. Earlier this week Iran-backed militiamen attacked the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad.
Here's what some members of Indiana's congressional delegation said publicly Friday about the airstrike:
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U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R)“Qasem Soleimani was a terrorist mastermind who was responsible for the murder of hundreds of Americans. Under his command, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps brought death and destruction across the Middle East — and beyond. Last night, justice was delivered. The President’s maximum pressure campaign against Iran has always been about pushing Iran’s leaders, primarily through economic means, to change their behavior and stop exporting terror around the globe. Iran failed to change, and mass murderer Soleimani met his fate. I hope this strike will finally wake up the Ayatollah and the outlaw regime in Tehran. End the terror and focus on improving the lives of the Iranian people by embracing peace. As the Administration considers next steps from here, Congress must be involved in that debate.”
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U.S. Sen. Mike Braun (R)“President Trump made the courageous decision to kill Qassim Suleimani, who was the leader of Iran’s violence against the United States that was directly responsible for killing American soldiers through IEDs for over a decade and was planning future attacks against American citizens throughout the Middle East. Iran has been one of America’s greatest enemies and I’m proud that President Trump is protecting our country and our allies.”
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U.S. Rep. Greg Pence (R-IN6)“Qasem Soleimani had the blood of hundreds of American patriots on his hands. Our Embassy is sovereign soil and our response was forceful and appropriate. Evil has been taken off this earth,” said Congressman Pence. “By the grace of God I shipped out of Beirut just before the 1983 Marine Barracks bombing orchestrated by Iran-backed terrorists. I know what the Iranian terrorist network is capable of. I stand firmly in support of President Trump, Secretary of State Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Esper.”
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U.S. Rep. André Carson (D-IN7)“I’m extremely concerned by this provocative action to target a senior Iranian military commander, which is another disastrous example of this administration’s reckless foreign policy. What’s more, the President made this incredibly consequential decision without the input of Congress. The circumstances surrounding the killing of Qasem Soleimani could inadvertently create devastating consequences. Killing Soleimani in a drone strike raises huge questions about the legality of targeting a commander of a country we are not at war with, in another country we have withdrawn from militarily. And this action by the Trump Administration has inevitably escalated an already tense situation between the U.S. and Iran, which could put countless Americans at risk, propelling our nation into a costly and bloody war. As a member of the House Intelligence Committee, I look forward to evaluating the intelligence reporting that underlined the justification for this capricious action.”
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U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN2)“Qassem Soleimani was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of U.S. servicemembers and countless innocent civilians throughout the Middle East. Under his command, Iran-backed terrorists and militias recently escalated their attacks on Americans in Iraq, including targeting our military bases and our embassy in Baghdad, and he was actively plotting further attacks at the time of his death. A ruthless terrorist has been brought to justice, and there should be no doubt about our nation’s resolve: we will not tolerate attacks on Americans and our allies.”
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U.S. Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN3)Republican Jim Banks posted his thoughts on Twitter shortly after the news broke.
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U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-IN8)Republican Larry Bucshon also posted a statement on his Twitter account.
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