By April Ryan
BlackPressUSA.com Newswire Washington Bureau Chief and White House Correspondent
“We devastated the Iranian Nuclear program,” says Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth after yesterday’s U.S. strikes that bombed three key nuclear facilities in Iran.
The bombings are a concern globally. Many fear that they create the potential for a larger-scale war. Vice President J.D. Vance elaborated on NBC’s Meet the Press Sunday morning and acknowledged, “We are not at war with Iran, we are at war with Iran’s nuclear program.”
Former Vice President Mike Pence even chimed in, supporting the president’s decision, calling it “decisive.” Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) / X
Before the Saturday bombings, Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence, publicly conveyed that there was no direct intelligence that Iran was actively building a nuclear weapon. Subsequently, President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are dismissing Gabbard’s findings.
Meanwhile, Senator Bernie Sanders, speaking on stage at an event yesterday, was clearly upset upon learning about the attack, saying this is “unconstitutional” as President Trump did not consult with Congress before the strikes on facilities that the president feels have nuclear weapons materials and or capabilities for uranium enrichment.
President Trump has been part of consistent daily intelligence briefings since Thursday. However, the president has only participated in approximately 12 intelligence briefings since January, leading to additional questions regarding the decision to strike Iran.
Questions circulate over possible violations of the War Powers Act by President Trump. Under the act, only Congress can authorize a declaration of war and raise armies.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth acknowledged in a press conference that Congress was advised after the strike happened.
Congresswoman Alexander Ocasio-Cortez of New York is calling for Trump’s impeachment for not following the War Powers Act.
Concerns are loudly circulating over possible retaliation from Iran against the United States for the attacks. Iran’s Foreign Minister asserts Iran has the right to respond in self-defense per the United Nations charter and its provisions allowing a legitimate response. Iran maintains that it reserves all options to safeguard its security interests and the well-being of its people.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is threatening a large-scale response if Iran does retaliate, saying it would be “the worst mistake they ever made.”
Iran has decided to close the Strait of Hormuz. Hormuz holds 20% of the world’s oil. In addition, if Iran withholds their oil and U.S. consumers experience rising gas prices, the current economic downturn will worsen.
There is an emergency United Nations meeting today stemming from an Iranian complaint that the United States violated a UN charter.