Representative Adriano Espaillat statement on killing of Qasem Soleimani

Statement

Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), who serves as a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement regarding an airstrike conducted by the United States that killed Qasem Soleimani, the commander of Iran's notorious Quds Force.

"Soleimani was, without doubt, responsible for much violence and the deaths of Americans in the Middle East for many years," said Rep. Adriano Espaillat. "The Trump Administration has continuously shown a lack of preparedness or a coherent strategy regarding Iran and the entire Middle East. The various strikes conducted over the last week by the administration, culminating with the escalation in last night's targeted killing of Qasem Soleimani, appear to be part of this ad hoc approach. My primary concern with the administration's reckless escalation is for the safety of U.S. servicemembers, diplomats, personnel, and our allies in the region who are now at heightened risk of aggressive Iranian retaliation. The administration has claimed that the goal of this latest strike was to prevent future attacks by Iran, yet it is clear that this action may have the opposite effect.

"President Trump's lack of foresight and strategy in the past gives me great pause about his preparations to keep Americans, our allies, and civilians in the region safe. Furthermore, at a time when it is in the U.S. interest to lessen Iran's influence in Iraq and the region through diplomacy and cooperation with Iraqi partners, this administration's hostilities undermine and endanger the U.S. relationship with the Iraqi government and people, potentially sending them closer Iran.

"Only Congress has the authority to declare war, and we have made clear that there is no authorization for use of military force against Iran. Through its actions, the administration risks violating its legal and constitutional authorities and must abstain from further escalatory acts. We do not want war with Iran, and the President, his Secretary of State, and Secretary of Defense have themselves said as much. Yet this administration's actions do not align with its words. Now, it is time for him to present a cogent strategy based on diplomacy to deescalate tensions with Iran, reestablish stability in the region, and protect American personnel before there is no turning back."

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