Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., argued Wednesday that it is “time to stop the war,” criticizing President Donald Trump’s approach and saying the administration’s objectives appear to be moving in the wrong direction.
Smith made the remarks during an appearance on CNN’s Inside Politics while discussing ongoing conflict involving Iran.
Host Dana Bash referenced comments from Sen. Josh Hawley, who suggested that the United States could declare victory and bring the conflict to a close.
“In the last segment, we were talking here at the table about something that Senator Josh Hawley said, which is that we ought to say to our heroes, thanks for a job well done, it’s been astounding, it’s been historic, now it’s time to declare victory,” Bash said. “Is that a good strategy?”
Smith responded that he disagrees with the characterization of the conflict as a victory but believes the fighting should come to an end.
“Well, I think it’s time to stop the war,” Smith said.
The Washington Democrat outlined what he described as three primary objectives of the military campaign.
According to Smith, the first goal was to weaken Iran’s military capabilities.
“One, we wanted to degrade Iran’s military capability,” Smith said.
The second objective, he argued, involved attempting to fundamentally change Iran’s governing structure.
Smith said some policymakers hoped to replace Iran’s leadership entirely, while others believed the goal was to pressure the existing regime into submission through military force.
“That objective very clearly is going in the opposite direction,” Smith said, arguing that hardliners appear to be consolidating power within Iran.
He referenced reports that leadership within the Iranian regime may shift toward the son of the country’s current supreme leader, a development he suggested could strengthen hardline factions.
Smith also questioned whether the conflict would make Iran more willing to cooperate with the United States in the future.
“The likelihood that Iran is going to be any more amenable to the U.S. after this, it doesn’t seem to be succeeding,” he said.
Finally, Smith raised concerns about the financial and human costs associated with the conflict, suggesting the Trump administration has not fully addressed those factors.
“But third, there’s the cost,” Smith said. “The part that Trump seems to dismiss without even thinking about it.”
The debate over the direction of U.S. strategy in the region continues as lawmakers and analysts weigh the effectiveness and long-term consequences of the conflict.
