Ansari emphasized that the U.S. does not have a good reputation in the region and must not take the risk of a new engagement.
As tensions rise between Israel and Iran, the Arizona congresswoman is weighing in on what she believes should happen next, warning President Trump against taking military action without the approval of Congress.
“It’s my deep hope that he doesn’t override Congress’s authority,” said U.S. Representative Yassamin Ansari, the only Iranian-American Democrat in Congress.
Ansari, the daughter of Iranian immigrants, offers a unique perspective as she watches the unfolding events in the Middle East.
“It’s really heartbreaking,” she said. “It’s been a tough couple of days.”
Ansari voiced concern over how President Trump is conducting foreign policy. She referred to his Truth Social post, in which Trump said Iran should have signed the deal he instructed them to sign. He stressed that the country must not obtain a nuclear weapon, and ended the post by saying, “Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran.”
“Conducting foreign policy through tweets and instructing a city of 10 million people to evacuate via a Truth Social post is extremely callous and horrifying,” Ansari said.
She hopes all parties work toward de-escalation. “I don’t think anyone wants another deadly, costly, catastrophic regional war in the Middle East. I don’t think the U.S. can afford that. I don’t think our troops should go through that. Now is the time to really focus on de-escalation and diplomacy.”
