Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) said Sunday that \u201cthe only purpose that I could see\u201d for U.S. troops on the ground in Iran \u201cwould be to get the enriched uranium.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the question, moving forward, with respect to any troops on the ground, would be: For what purpose? And I think the only purpose that I could see would be to get the enriched uranium,\u201d Lawler told NBC News\u2019s Kristen Welker on \u201cMeet the Press.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I think that is something that does need to be discussed with Congress in a classified setting,\u201d he continued. \u201cAnd I think Congress would need to be briefed on that particular matter.\u201d<\/p>\n
President Trump\u00a0has mulled the deployment of U.S. troops inside Iran to seize the country\u2019s highly enriched uranium, an operation that could last for days. The operation would put U.S. personnel deep inside Iran, leaving them vulnerable to Iranian short-range missiles and drones.<\/p>\n
Since the U.S. and Israeli strikes in Iran began in late February, recent polling\u00a0has shown widespread discontent\u00a0with the conflict and any possible escalation.<\/p>\n
On Sunday morning, Trump railed against Iran over\u00a0the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route. The president threatened to strike the country\u2019s infrastructure and pressed Tehran to \u201copen the F\u2014in\u2019 Strait, you crazy bastards.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F\u2014in\u2019 Strait, you crazy bastards, or you\u2019ll be living in Hell \u2013 JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP,\u201d Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.<\/p>\n
The day before, Trump threatened to rain \u201call hell\u201d down on Iran as the U.S. headed toward a self-imposed deadline on Monday for the Middle Eastern country to\u00a0reopen the strait.<\/p>\n
A central point of contention in Washington regarding the war, largely around party lines, is whether Trump\u00a0must seek congressional approval to continue military operations in Iran.<\/p>\n
Some Republicans in recent days, however, have indicated they would back\u00a0a war powers resolution\u00a0when the conflict hits Day 60, which Lawler backed Sunday.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs this moves forward, if it goes beyond the 60 to 90 day window, then yes, Congress will need to take necessary action,\u201d he told Welker. \u201cAnd I would support that.\u201d<\/p>\n
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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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