Israel launches preemptive strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities with strong Republican support while some Democrats remain divided over the military action.
At a Glance
- Republican leaders in Congress have expressed unified support for Israel’s military strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities and military leadership
- Operation Rising Lion targeted nuclear installations and key Iranian military figures, including Gen. Hossein Salami
- House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons as a shared U.S.-Israel goal
- Some Democrats like Sen. John Fetterman supported Israel’s actions while others including Sen. Elizabeth Warren criticized the strikes
- President Trump had given Iran a 60-day ultimatum to reach a nuclear deal, which expired just before the Israeli operation
Republicans Stand Firmly Behind Israel’s Defensive Actions
Republican leadership has rallied behind Israel following its preemptive strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities and military leadership. House Speaker Mike Johnson affirmed the longstanding U.S.-Israel alliance in addressing Iran’s nuclear ambitions, framing the strikes as a necessary defensive measure against an existential threat. Johnson emphasized the Trump administration’s consistent efforts to prevent Iran from developing nuclear capabilities, viewing the military action as aligned with American strategic interests in the region.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune highlighted Iran’s record of aggression and international violations, pointing to the regime’s public threats against Israel. “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,” said Thune in his statement of support for Israel’s defensive operations.
Operation Rising Lion Targets Iranian Nuclear Program
Israel’s military operation, code-named “Rising Lion,” specifically targeted Iranian nuclear facilities and key military leadership, including Revolutionary Guard Commander Gen. Hossein Salami. The strikes followed reports from the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency indicating Iran had significantly increased uranium enrichment activities. These developments prompted France, Germany, and the UK to issue a formal censure against Iran for violating international agreements, lending additional international legitimacy to Israel’s concerns.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue military operations until threats against Israel are neutralized, while Iranian leadership condemned the strikes as a “declaration of war.” The Israeli operation came just as President Trump’s 60-day ultimatum to Iran for reaching a nuclear deal expired, suggesting coordination between American and Israeli strategy regarding Iran’s nuclear program. Military analysts noted the precision of the strikes and the apparent intelligence capabilities that enabled targeting of specific facilities.
To be clear, with tonight’s strikes on Tehran, Netanyahu is deliberately undermining Trump and his cabinet’s diplomatic efforts and putting the region in grave danger. https://t.co/MaTWjWlsbv
— Nancy Okail (@NancyGEO) June 13, 2025
GOP Senators Warn Iran Against Harming Americans
Leading Republican senators issued strong statements backing Israel while warning Iran against any retaliation that might endanger American personnel in the region. Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas delivered one of the most forceful messages, characterizing Iran as “the world’s worst state sponsor of terrorism” with “the blood of thousands of Americans on its hands.” Cotton emphasized the urgency of stopping Iran’s nuclear weapons program while issuing a stark warning about potential consequences should American forces come under attack.
Texas Senator Ted Cruz similarly emphasized American solidarity with Israel while directly addressing Iranian leadership: “President Trump has been clear that Iran must completely dismantle their nuclear capacity. Iran has given President Trump the middle finger. Israel is acting to defend themselves, and we should stand with them.” Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch expressed particular concern for U.S. service members stationed throughout the Middle East who could be at risk from Iranian retaliation.
Democrats Divided in Response to Israeli Strikes
While Republicans presented a unified front in support of Israel’s actions, Democratic lawmakers showed more division in their responses. Several pro-Israel Democrats, including Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman and New York Representative Ritchie Torres, strongly backed Israel’s right to self-defense. Torres emphasized, “Make no mistake: Israel is not the aggressor. It is defending itself against an existential threat that long predates the present preemptive strike,” aligning with the Republican characterization of the situation.
However, other Democratic voices including Senators Chris Murphy and Elizabeth Warren expressed concern about the strikes, warning of potential regional escalation. This split within the Democratic party contrasted sharply with Republican uniformity on the issue. Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina went further than most in his praise, calling the operation “one of the most impressive military strikes and covert operations in Israeli history” while suggesting American readiness to “help Israel finish the job” if necessary.
