LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – The U.S. and Israel launched a major attack on Iran on Saturday, and President Donald Trump called on the Iranian public to “seize control of your destiny” by rising up against the Islamic leadership that has ruled the nation since 1979. Iran retaliated by firing missiles and drones toward Israel and U.S. military bases in the region.
RELATED: Read President Trump’s statement on Iran in full
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued this statement Saturday morning.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, the United States is systematically acting against American enemies who have undermined our national security since the Cold War. As the President said again this morning, the Iranian regime has been terrorizing and murdering Americans for 47 years, including innocent civilians, our servicemembers, and American leaders. The Ayatollah has repeatedly tried to assassinate President Trump. Now they are seeking nuclear weapons and the ability to hit the American homeland.
“Today’s action will enhance the national security of the United States and our allies. I applaud our Armed Forces, our intelligence community, and President Trump for their capabilities and resolve to eliminate these threats, and I am deeply appreciative that our Israeli allies are fighting alongside the U.S. on behalf of our mutual interests and against our mutual enemies. May God protect our servicemembers.”
U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) posted this statement to his X account:
“For too long, Iran and its tentacles of terror have destabilized the Middle East and waged war on the West and our values. With today’s strikes by U.S. forces led by our Commander-in-Chief, President Trump, there is finally an opening for these dark days to come to an end.
“It is my hope that the Iranian people, after years of oppression and being ignored by previous Democrat administrations, will finally be free, and I’m proud of the support being provided by President Trump and the United States.
“May God bless the men and women of our armed forces, our military partners, and all those who stand with us in our mission against the purveyor of terrorism and radical Islam that is the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX 13), who represents the Texas Panhandle, parts of the Rolling Plains, Texoma and North Texas, issued this statement:
“President Trump has taken DECISIVE ACTION to protect AMERICA and our allies everywhere!
“For decades the Iranian regime and its proxies have created chaos throughout the Middle East and threatened the safety of America’s soldiers, citizens, and allies. We will not allow their mass terror any longer. Please join me in praying for EVERY American troop on the front lines right now! May God protect them, guide them, and bring them home safe!”
U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY 4th) wrote on X:
“I am opposed to this War.
“This is not ‘America First.’
“When Congress reconvenes, I will work with @RepRoKhanna to force a Congressional vote on war with Iran.
“The Constitution requires a vote, and your Representative needs to be on record as opposing or supporting this war.
U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY 8th), the leader of the minority party in the house, issued this statement:
“Overnight, Donald Trump announced the start of massive and ongoing military operations against Iran. The framers of the United States Constitution gave Congress the sole power to declare war as the branch of government closest to the American people.
“Iran is a bad actor and must be aggressively confronted for its human rights violations, nuclear ambitions, support of terrorism and the threat it poses to our allies like Israel and Jordan in the region. However, absent exigent circumstances, the Trump administration must seek authorization for the preemptive use of military force that constitutes an act of war.
“Donald Trump failed to seek Congressional authorization prior to striking Iran. Instead, the President’s decision to abandon diplomacy and launch a massive military attack has left American troops vulnerable to Iran’s retaliatory actions. We pray for the safety of the men and women of the U.S. military as they have been put into harm’s way in a dangerous theater of war.
“If Iran’s nuclear program was “completely and totally obliterated” by the military strikes in June 2025, as Donald Trump boldly proclaimed, there should be no need to strike them now. Equally troublesome, the advancement of security and stability in the Middle East requires more than military might, as we painfully discovered in several failed wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Trump administration must explain itself to the American people and Congress immediately, provide an ironclad justification for this act of war, clearly define the national security objective and articulate a plan to avoid another costly, prolonged military quagmire in the Middle East.
“The War Powers Resolution introduced by Rep. Ro Khanna and Rep. Thomas Massie demands that President Trump remove U.S. forces from hostilities in Iran absent Congressional authorization. House Democrats remain committed to compelling a vote on this resolution upon our return.”
Information from the Associated Press included in this story.
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