Live Updates: Explosions and Buzzing Drones Heard as Israel and Iran Exchange New Wave of Attacks
The US Capitol on Friday morning. Many members of Congress were quick to cheer Israel's actions and framed them as a justified response to Tehran's refusal to abandon its nuclear ambitions.
Israel's overnight missile strike against Iran divided Congress, drawing praise and strong support from members of both parties, but some lawmakers, most of them Democrats, expressed concern about regional instability and the risk the United States might be drawn directly into the conflict.
Many members of Congress were quick to cheer Israel's actions and framed them as a justified response to Tehran's refusal to abandon its ambition to obtain nuclear weapons. Others, including several leading Democrats, urged restraint, warning about the potential for escalation.
The divergent reactions reflected a political divide over President Trump's leadership, the use of military force, the role of diplomacy and America's obligations in the Middle East.
Some Republicans in Congress applauded the operation even before President Trump praised it.
'Game on,' declared Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina and one of the most vocal Iran hawks on Capitol Hill, moments after the news broke. In a later statement, Mr. Graham said: 'Hats off to Israel for one of the most impressive military strikes and covert operations in Israeli history.'
The House speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, also offered unequivocal support for the strikes, saying in a social media post late Thursday that 'Israel IS right — and has a right — to defend itself!'
After Mr. Trump weighed in Friday morning, saying that Iran had brought the attacks on itself, Mr. Johnson applauded the administration's decision to back Israel's security goals and echoed the president's position that Iran 'must never obtain a nuclear weapon.'
Mr. Johnson, who recently announced a trip to Israel later this month to address a special session of the Knesset, displayed the same frustration that many on Capitol Hill have expressed in recent weeks over Tehran's refusal to shelve its nuclear ambitions.
'President Trump and his administration have worked tirelessly to ensure that outcome. Unfortunately, Iran has refused to agree and even declared yesterday its intent to build a new enrichment facility,' he said in a statement on Friday.
Senator James E. Risch, the Republican chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, had a similar message, saying, 'We stand with Israel tonight and pray for the safety of its people and the success of this unilateral, defensive action.'
Hours after the attack, the Senate majority leader, John Thune of South Dakota, said that he strongly supported the strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, and in a statement said that the regime and its proxies had positioned themselves as an anti-democratic threat to the region.
'For too long, the mullahs in Iran have publicly aspired to wipe the only democracy in the Middle East off the face of the map via any means possible: funding and arming terror groups on Israel's borders, choking off international sea lanes, and multiple barrages of missiles and drones,' he said in the statement.
The top two Democrats in Congress, Senator Chuck Schumer and Representative Hakeem Jeffries, both of New York, said in separate statements that they were closely monitoring the situation as it continued to unfold.
'The United States' commitment to Israel's security and defense must be ironclad as they prepare for Iran's response,' Mr. Schumer said in a statement on Friday afternoon. He and Mr. Jeffries both emphasized the 'ironclad' U.S.-Israel relationship and denounced Iran's defiance of its nuclear obligations, reiterating the dangers of a nuclear Iran to both the United States and the entire Middle East.
'There is no circumstance where Iran can be permitted to become a nuclear power,' Mr. Jeffries said in a statement, adding an urgent call for international leaders to 'find a rigorous diplomatic path forward and avoid any situation where U.S. troops are put in harm's way.'
Among Democrats, no lawmaker has been more vocally supportive of Israel than Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, who has carved out a distinct role as the party's most unapologetic defender of the U.S.-Israel alliance.
In the hours after the strike, Mr. Fetterman posted on social media: 'Our commitment to Israel must be absolute and I fully support this attack. Keep wiping out Iranian leadership and the nuclear personnel. We must provide whatever is necessary — military, intelligence, weaponry — to fully back Israel in striking Iran.'
And several strongly pro-Israel Democrats in the House praised the strikes. Representative Greg Landsman of Ohio swiftly issued a statement proclaiming: 'Israel is justifiably defending itself and its people.'
But other Democrats called for de-escalation or expressed concern that Israel's military action could lead to broader regional instability.
'Israel's strikes against Iran represent an escalation that is deeply concerning and will inevitably invite counterattacks,' said Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee. 'This risks not only U.S. negotiations with Iran, but the safety of American service members, diplomats, their families and expats around the region.'
Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat of the Armed Services Committee, echoed those concerns.
'I urge both nations to show immediate restraint, and I call on President Trump and our international partners to press for diplomatic de-escalation before this crisis spirals further out of control,' he said. 'The world cannot afford more devastating conflict born of shortsighted violence.'
Senator Chris Murphy, Democrat of Connecticut, said in a statement a war between Israel and Iran 'may be good for Netanyahu's domestic politics, but it will likely be disastrous for both the security of Israel, the United States, and the rest of the region.' He added that the United States has ' no obligation to follow Israel into a war we did not ask for and will make us less safe.'
At least one right-wing Republican voiced the same the sentiment. 'I'm sad to say but some members of Congress and US Senators seem giddy about the prospects of a bigger war,' Representative Warren Davidson, Republican of Ohio, wrote on social media.
Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a statement on Friday that President Trump and Republican officials were ultimately to blame for the spiraling conflict between Israel and Iran because Mr. Trump had withdrawn from a nuclear agreement with Iran in 2018.
Still, he said the diplomacy Mr. Trump has been doing in recent weeks with Iran was the best path forward now, if it can continue.
'The consequences of further escalation of violence in the Middle East could be profound — for regional security, for global energy markets, and most urgently, for innocent civilians,' he said. 'The United States must continue to engage diplomatically to prevent a broader war and to pursue long-term security solutions that deter aggression and promote stability.'
Ed Wong contributed reporting
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNN
18 minutes ago
- CNN
Clarissa Ward shows aftermath of Iranian strike in Israel
Clarissa Ward shows aftermath of Iranian strike in Israel CNN's Clarissa Ward is at the site where an Iranian missile made impact in Rishon Lezion, Israel -- a residential area about 15 minutes from the center of Tel Aviv. 00:41 - Source: CNN See moment projectile strikes near key military facility in Tel Aviv Video verified by CNN captures the dramatic moment a missile struck in vicinity of the Kirya, an area of Tel Aviv that's home to an urban military base housing Israel's Defense Forces. 00:33 - Source: CNN Nic Robertson describes downed projectile in Israel CNN's Nic Robertson reports at the site of a smoldering projectile on the road to Tel Aviv after a fresh wave of Iranian missile strikes. 00:30 - Source: CNN How Mossad pulled off the strikes in Iran Rare footage released by Israeli spy agency Mossad unveils the sophisticated intelligence operation behind Israel's recent unprecedented attack on Iran. CNN Chief Global Affairs Correspondent Matthew Chance takes a look into this significant breakthrough as well as what sort of retaliation could be in store. 01:02 - Source: CNN Missile interceptor launches from Jerusalem CNN's Jerusalem bureau chief and correspondent Oren Liebermann describes the moment an interceptor launched in the distance behind him during an on-air report from Jerusalem. 00:47 - Source: CNN Nuclear deal between US and Iran now uncertain after Israel attack The nuclear deal between the US and Iran could be in jeopardy following Israel's attack on Iran. CNN's Kaitlan Collins has the details. 00:41 - Source: CNN Oren Liebermann reports inside a bomb shelter in Israel CNN's Jerusalem Bureau Chief Oren Liebermann reports from inside a bomb shelter as Iran launched hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel after the unprecedented attack on Iran. 01:37 - Source: CNN Trump urges Iran to make nuclear deal in call to CNN CNN's Dana Bash talked with President Trump on the phone about Israel's unprecedented strikes on Iran that targeted nuclear facilities and military leaders. 01:35 - Source: CNN Sole survivor of India plane crash speaks out Vishwash Kumar Ramesh is the sole survivor of an Air India flight that crashed shortly after takeoff. In an interview, Ramesh relives the harrowing moments when he escaped the plane. 01:02 - Source: CNN Iran says retaliation on Israel has begun Large explosions have been heard in Tel-Aviv, Israel, according to CNN's team on the ground. This comes after the Israeli military says it has identified incoming missiles launched from Iran toward Israel. 00:34 - Source: CNN Iranians question nuclear talks with US after Israeli attack Crowds of demonstrators rallied in Tehran calling for retaliation after Israeli strikes on Iran and questioning whether the country should continue negotiations with the United States over a potential nuclear deal. 00:49 - Source: CNN Amanpour breaks down Israeli strikes on Iran Israel has launched unprecedented strikes on Iran, targeting its nuclear program and assassinating top military leaders in an attack that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said will last many days. The operation, codenamed 'Operation Rising Lion,' hit Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz, as well as targeting Iranian nuclear scientists and military leaders. 02:34 - Source: CNN Analysis: How might Iran respond to Israeli attack? Overnight Israel struck several locations in Iran, including the capital Tehran and the country's nuclear sites. Israel says 200 fighter jets were involved in the attack that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said will last many days. With Iran's defenses weakened in Israel's October attack, and several military leaders killed, its response to last night's strike may be limited. CNN's chief security correspondent Nick Paton Walsh gives his analysis. 01:30 - Source: CNN Israel's spy agency shows how they attacked Iran from within Israel has launched unprecedented strikes on Iran, targeting its nuclear program and military leaders. Israel's spy agency, Mossad, released video of operatives inside Iran before the strikes. 00:44 - Source: CNN Top Iranian commander killed in Israeli strikes Iran's revolutionary guard has confirmed the death General Hossein Salami, one of the country's most powerful and influential military commanders, in Israel's strikes. The IRGC said its command structure and other branches of the military were 'fully prepared to deliver a decisive and harsh response.' CNN senior international correspondent Frederik Pleitgen reports. 01:40 - Source: CNN Analysis: Why Israel attacked Iran now CNN's Oren Liebermann explains the reasons why Israel decided to attack Iran in unprecedented strikes targeting its nuclear program and senior military leaders. 01:49 - Source: CNN Survivor of India plane crash appears to walk away from site in video Video appears to show the sole survivor of a 242 passenger plane crash walking away from the rubble. 00:27 - Source: CNN Expert examines CCTV footage to see what happened to Air India flight before crash Newly released CCTV footage shows Air India Flight 171 take off before crashing moments later. CNN aviation analyst Miles O'Brien offers his analysis. 00:56 - Source: CNN Passenger survives Air India plane crash At least one passenger on board Air India Flight 171 to London Gatwick survived, local police said. According to Reuters, senior police officer Vidhi Chaudhary said the man had been in seat 11A and added that there may be a few more survivors in the hospital. 00:19 - Source: CNN Video shows moment plane crashes in India Social media video shows flames and thick smoke billowing into the air, as an Air India passenger plane, carrying 242 people, crashed shortly after takeoff. The plane had departed an airport in Ahmedabad, India and was bound for London's Gatwick Airport. 00:20 - Source: CNN Rare deep-sea squid filmed alive for first time Scientists have captured the first-ever footage of the elusive Gonatus antarcticus squid alive in its deep-sea habitat. CNN's Jeremy Roth describes the rare encounter. For more on this story, visit 01:12 - Source: CNN Analysis: Is Netanyahu's government under threat? Among an ongoing corruption trial, protests against his leadership and an upcoming vote to dissolve the government, CNN's Oren Liebermann looks at the growing pressure on Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 01:59 - Source: CNN Austrian mayor of city hit by school shooting speaks to CNN Austria is reeling from one of the worst rampages in the country's history after a gunman opened fire at a high school in the city of Graz, killing 10 people, including teenagers. Elke Kahr, mayor of Graz, spoke to CNN's Frederik Pleitgen during a candlelight vigil as the city reflects on the rare tragedy. 01:15 - Source: CNN Mexican flags at LA protests spark heated debate Mexico's flag has become a defining symbol of the protests in Los Angeles, sparking a heated debate amongst the Latino community about whether or not it's disrespectful. CNN's Rafael Romo breaks down the debate and what the it means to be Mexican-American right now. 01:53 - Source: CNN Austria hit by rare school shooting A gunman in Austria opened fire on a school in the southern city of Graz, killing himself and at least nine others. The death toll includes teenagers between the ages of 14 and 18, the Austrian interior ministry said. CNN's Frederik Pleitgen reports. 01:05 - Source: CNN
CNN
20 minutes ago
- CNN
In pictures: The nationwide ‘No Kings' protests
More than 2,000 protests are scheduled across all 50 states Saturday through the No Kings movement, which organizers say seeks to reject 'authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics, and the militarization of our democracy.' The mobilization is a direct response to a military parade rolling through Washington, DC, on Saturday that celebrates the 250th anniversary of the US Army. It also coincides with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday. Saturday's rallies have been amplified by a week of protests against ICE raids in Los Angeles and other major cities. Following the Hands Off! and 50501 protests this spring, Saturday's demonstrations aren't the first nationwide rejection of Trump's policies. But organizers expect them to be the largest. Millions of Americans are expected to take part.
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Trump Threatens to Crush Violent Protests in Every State
Donald Trump has warned that protesters trying to thwart his immigration crackdown in other states will be met with equal or greater force than demonstrators in Los Angeles. As critics accused the president of authoritarianism, Trump also reiterated that he would be prepared to invoke the Insurrection Act if he deemed it necessary. That would be a dramatic escalation by the president, who has already ordered active-duty Marines and 2000 more National Guard troops into L.A. The move to draft troops into Los Angeles prompted a lawsuit by California Governor Gavin Newsom, who on Tuesday also asked a judge to issue a restraining order to block Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth from using the National Guard in his state. 'Federal antagonization, through the presence of soldiers in the streets, has already caused real and irreparable damage to the City of Los Angeles, the people who live there, and the State of California. They must be stopped, immediately,' the motion states. Trump, however, doubled down on Tuesday and vowed to crush protestors who followed in LA's footsteps. 'I can inform the rest of the country that when they do it, if they do it, they're going to be met with equal or greater force than we met right here,' he told reporters in the Oval Office. Anti-ICE protests of all sizes have already popped up all over the country, including in New York, Atlanta, Dallas, and Washington, D.C. More protests are expected to follow this Saturday, when a coalition of activist groups embarks on a national series of 'No Kings' protests to coincide with Trump's birthday and military parade in DC. 'If there's any protester who wants to come out there they will be met with very big force,' Trump said on Tuesday. The ratcheting of the president's rhetoric comes days after sweeping ICE raids led to more than 100 arrests in the Los Angeles area, sparked in part by a directive by top White House aide Stephen Miller, the architect of the president's immigration policies. According to the Wall Street Journal, Miller was frustrated with ICE's failure to meet the deportation quota the administration had set and held a meeting at the agency's headquarters last month. During the meeting, he reportedly challenged agents to go places like Home Depot or 7-Eleven, where migrants were likely to work, and start arresting people. This led to agents descending on the Westlake neighborhood last week to deliver on Miller's mission, sparking resistance from community members. The issue has placed Democrats in a delicate balancing act, given the surge in illegal immigrants who entered the U.S. under the Biden administration. While White House officials argued that local officials did not do enough to curtail protestors as tensions flared, Democrats accused the president of escalating the situation for a media opportunity. Speaking at the Hill on Tuesday, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who represents a California district, reminded reporters that Trump refused to deploy the National Guard when a violent mob attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. 'We begged the president of the United States to send in the National Guard. He would not do it,' she said. Outside the White House, a lone protester, Nadine Seiler, told the Daily Beast she was worried about the future of the country under Trump. 'We are not even five months in, and we are seeing how our rights are being eroded,' Seiler said, wearing a t-shirt that emblazoned with the words: 'Make Due Process Great Again.' 'He's even saying he wants to arrest Gavin Newsom. It's scary.'
