BREAKING NEWS: President Trump announces Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is dead
(UPDATE: Local politicians react to Iran Strike)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Oregon federal legislators are criticizing recent military strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel, calling the actions unconstitutional and a move toward an unauthorized war. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley joined Rep. Janelle Bynum in demanding that Congress reassert its authority over military conflicts.
The lawmakers' responses follow reports of strikes targeting Iranian interests. The representatives expressed concerns over the potential for a "costly and deadly" conflict in the Middle East and cited the U.S. Constitution as the sole basis for declaring war.
Sen. Wyden criticized the administration's approach to the region and the potential impact on military personnel. "Donald Trump is unilaterally dragging us into another costly and deadly war in the Middle East that the American people don't want," Wyden said.
He added that "Trump and Hegseth are putting American lives on the line to make themselves feel powerful, while our military families pay the real price."
Sen. Merkley, a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, argued that the strikes violated the separation of powers established by the founding fathers.
"The Constitution is clear: Congress has the power to declare war, not the president," Merkley said. He referenced James Madison's warnings about the executive branch being "most interested in war" and stated that "Trump is not a king."
Merkley highlighted the human and financial toll of previous conflicts in the Middle East to warn against further escalation. According to Merkley, more than 7,000 American servicemembers were killed and more than 50,000 were wounded during two decades of war in Iraq and Afghanistan. "More than $8 trillion was squandered," Merkley said. "Families carry that pain for generations."
While Merkley acknowledged that the Iranian regime's human rights abuses and support for proxies are unacceptable, he maintained those realities do not grant the president authority to start a conflict. He characterized the president's previous claims of being a "peace" candidate as inaccurate following the decision to strike Iran.
Merkley stated that he is praying for servicemembers who are now "in harm's way."
Rep. Bynum also raised concerns regarding the legality of the strikes and reported consequences on the ground. Bynum noted reports that the military action may have impacted a civilian building.
"In a clear violation of his Constitutional authority, the President took our country one step closer to war in the Middle East, endangering the lives of our servicemembers and reportedly bombing a girls' elementary school in the process," Bynum said. She described the act as "wrong and illegal." Bynum called for immediate legislative action to restrict further military engagement without approval from lawmakers.
"Congress must vote on a War Powers resolution immediately to restrict military action in Iran without Congressional approval," Bynum said. She added that she is praying for the safety of allies who may be targeted by Iran in retaliation.
We have reached out to Rep. Cliff Bentz for comment.
We will continue to update you as we learn more.
Washington, DC (NBC News) -- What to know
SUPREME LEADER DEAD: President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed today after the U.S. and Israel launched a predawn assault on the country.
MAJOR JOINT ATTACK: The United States launched "major combat operations" in Iran, joined by Israel, Trump announced earlier in a video message.
IRAN'S LEADERS TARGETED: Israel targeted Iranian political and military leaders, two U.S. officials told NBC News, while the U.S. aimed to take out Iran’s ballistic missile and nuclear programs.
TRUMP URGES REGIME CHANGE: Trump urged Iranians to “take over your government” when the strikes are over. “The hour of your freedom is at hand,” he said.
DEATH TOLL: The Iranian Red Crescent said that more than 200 people have been killed and roughly 700 others have been injured following the attacks.
IRAN RETALIATION: Iran responded by firing missiles at Israel as well as at U.S. bases across the region in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan, sending ripples across the Middle East.
TEHRAN WILLING TO TALK: In an exclusive interview with NBC News, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran was interested in de-escalation and willing to talk if the U.S. and Israel halted attacks. He told Trump that regime change was "mission impossible.
Washington, DC (NBC News) -- Israel has launched what it called a preemptive strike against Iran
SUPREME LEADER DEAD: President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed today after the U.S. and Israel launched a predawn assault on the country.
MAJOR JOINT ATTACK: The United States launched "major combat operations" in Iran, joined by Israel, Trump announced earlier in a video message.
IRAN'S LEADERS TARGETED: Israel targeted Iranian political and military leaders, two U.S. officials told NBC News, while the U.S. aimed to take out Iran’s ballistic missile and nuclear programs.
TRUMP URGES REGIME CHANGE: Trump urged Iranians to “take over your government” when the strikes are over. “The hour of your freedom is at hand,” he said.
DEATH TOLL: The Iranian Red Crescent said that more than 200 people have been killed and roughly 700 others have been injured following the attacks.
IRAN RETALIATION: Iran responded by firing missiles at Israel as well as at U.S. bases across the region in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan, sending ripples across the Middle East.
“The State of Israel has launched a preemptive strike against Iran to remove threats against the State of Israel,” a spokesperson for Israel’s defense minister said.
Retaliation is expected, the spokesperson said.
“As a result, a missile and UAV attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate time frame,” the spokesperson said.
What to know:
The U.S. built up a massive military presence in the Middle East while holding talks with the Islamic Republic over a new deal to curtail its nuclear program.
The United States and Israel have launched strikes against Iran, according to a U.S. official.
Iran’s semi-official FARS news agency reported that explosions had been heard across Tehran.
After starting what Israel called a "preemptive strike," an Israeli spokesperson said retaliation was expected and Israel has declared a state of emergency.
Iran has vowed that if attacked it would retaliate against American and Israeli bases in the region, warning of a “devastating war.”
