Rep. Mike Turner Says U.S. Options Limited in Iran Conflict

Republican Representative Mike Turner told ABC News' "This Week" that the United States should maintain pressure on Iran to prevent it from acquiring a nuclear weapon, but he acknowledged that President Donald Trump faces limited choices while Iran retains a role in any diplomatic process. Turner highlighted a NATO declaration from the July summit that affirmed Iran should never obtain a nuclear weapon, describing a nuclear-armed Iran as "not where the world wants to be."

Turner, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said the administration is pursuing both military action and diplomacy, but warned that Iran's commitments are unreliable and cannot be trusted in negotiations. He added that the current situation leaves the administration with "not a whole lot of options."

Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen called the war "senseless" and urged an immediate end, arguing that withdrawal would likely restore pre-war conditions in the Strait of Hormuz and ease pressures on energy markets. Van Hollen cited recent U.S. casualties and a shortage of missile interceptors, which he said have been depleted amid the conflict.

The Pentagon is seeking an additional $67 billion in supplemental funding to address the strain on munitions stockpiles caused by the Iran operation. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth disputed claims of interceptor shortages, attributing inventory reductions to aid for Ukraine.

Both lawmakers expressed bipartisan frustration on Capitol Hill over how the war is being conducted, with Turner warning against abandoning the effort to stop Iran's nuclear aspirations, while Van Hollen emphasized the need to end hostilities to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and lower fuel costs.