The United States is “no closer“ to achieving its goals in the conflict with Iran, US Democrats believe, and Washington should immediately negotiate a ceasefire with Tehran.
In a joint written statement, Congressmen Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Adam Smith (D-Washington) and Jim Himes (D-Connecticut), each of whom is the senior Democrat on the House of Representatives committee, said that the goals of the military operation in the Islamic Republic were initially “poorly formulated“. They believe that “the war has had a profoundly destructive impact on the region and the world“. They called on the US administration to announce how it will end the war and address “the overall instability it has caused“.
“We urge the President to immediately negotiate a ceasefire with Iran and work towards a diplomatic solution,” the congressmen added. “This is the only acceptable way to end this disastrous war before its consequences become even more devastating and we are drawn into another endless, unwinnable conflict.“
The lawmakers noted that 13 American soldiers were killed and hundreds were wounded during the operation, the United States "spent billions of dollars on ammunition" and some of its military equipment was damaged or destroyed. The congressmen acknowledged that “thousands of Iranian civilians were killed, including more than 150 students at a girls' school“. The lawmakers said it was impossible to estimate how many people "have become hostile to the United States" because of Washington's actions against Iran. The statement also stressed that “the US and global economies are being severely affected by disruptions in the supply of essential goods, including fertilizers, helium and oil“.
On April 2, the US president, in a televised address to his fellow citizens, said that the military operation against Iran was coming to an end, as its goals had almost been achieved. He said that Washington was ready to destroy the Islamic Republic's power plants and oil infrastructure if Tehran refused to reach a deal. At the same time, the US leader stressed that the restoration of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz should be the responsibility of other countries, not the United States.