Senate Leader Markwayne Mullin on Sunday defended President Donald Trump’s military action against Iran, stating the operation was aimed at protecting U.S. interests and deterring future threats—not launching a broader war or pursuing regime change.
“This isn’t a war,” the Oklahoma Republican said during special coverage of this weekend’s actions. “This is about keeping America’s interests safe, home and abroad.”
Mullin asserted that Iran’s leadership has targeted the United States for decades, with past administrations failing to respond forcefully. “The ayatollah has been attacking us for 47 years,” he explained. “And every president in the past has simply turned a blind eye.”
He criticized Democrats for labeling the strikes illegal, emphasizing that Trump acted within his constitutional authority. “By law, he’s required to inform Congress within 48 hours. He’s done that,” Mullin stated. “If he commits troops, he’s supposed to ask Congress for war within 60 to 90 days. We’re not even close to that window. Under Article II, he has broad powers as commander in chief to ensure America’s interests are protected.”
Mullin rejected comparisons to the Iraq War, noting the operation did not target regime change. “This is about regime change,” he said, referring to what Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama pursued, which caused widespread destabilization across the Middle East.
“The president was very clear during the 12 Day War: ‘Hey, Ayatollah. Hey, leaders, we know where you’re at, but we want diplomacy to work,’” Mullin added. He stated Trump sought diplomatic solutions until the last hour to avoid creating a power vacuum that might allow terrorist groups like ISIS to reemerge.
Mullin warned Iran continues developing weapons capable of striking U.S. assets and allies in Europe, potentially even American territory itself. “If that takes place, it’s not a matter of if—it’s a matter of when they would try to drop a nuclear weapon or a bomb inside the United States,” he said.
He dismissed criticism from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who labeled the strikes an “illegal war of aggression.” “He has no reason to be speaking to the American people because he doesn’t represent them,” Mullin stated. “He is irrelevant in this matter. President Trump is leading the United States—and he’s doing so by being in the front and leading with peace through strength.”
