Senator Murphy calls US plan to restart Iran war "insane"
Senator Chris Murphy warned that a proposed short-duration military offensive against Iran could target civilian infrastructure and trigger a devastating escalation.
Senator Chris Murphy, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Appropriations committees, said the United States is preparing a plan to restart hostilities against Iran that he described as "insane" and likely to lead to a "devastating escalation."
Murphy made the remarks at an event hosted by the Middle East Institute in Washington, DC, after media reports indicated that the U.S. had warned Gulf Arab states to be ready for a short, intense offensive following the November 3 midterm elections. He said the plan, developed at the request of the president, could target civilian infrastructure and would prolong and intensify the conflict, harming U.S. security interests.
"You've heard a preview that it would be a short-duration plan. I'll just say this: their plan is insane," Murphy said. "It will lead to devastating escalation and the likely destruction of our commitment to the rule of law."
Murphy, who recently visited Qatar and Saudi Arabia, described the region as "rattled" and said he observed a "cover-up" of war costs and consequences. He noted that U.S. bases in Bahrain are unusable and that the base in Qatar operates at reduced capacity, limiting protection for diplomats and troops.
A Wall Street Journal report cited diplomatic and military channels indicating that U.S. forces are restocking munitions, moving a Patriot missile-defence system to Israel, and preparing to deploy an aircraft carrier strike group and a Marine expeditionary unit to the Middle East.
The Pentagon has told Congress that the war, now in its eighth month, has cost the United States $47.1 billion through 16 October, with munitions accounting for more than 60 percent of the total.
President Donald Trump has not announced a final decision but indicated a willingness to launch a major attack that could target Iranian infrastructure and nuclear sites.
"We may do another little Epic Fury," Trump said at a rally in Florida, referencing the military term for the ongoing operation.