Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., stated Sunday that any potential U.S. deployment of troops in Iran should be narrowly focused, with securing the country’s enriched uranium as the only clear objective.
During recent discussions, Lawler emphasized that such a move would require close coordination with Congress and careful consideration behind closed doors.
“ heating forward is, for what purpose?” Lawler said. “The only purpose I could see would be to get the enriched uranium.”
Lawler further noted that the matter must be addressed through classified channels with congressional involvement, stating: “And I think that is something that does need to be discussed with Congress in a classified setting. And I think Congress would need to be briefed on that particular matter.”
His remarks come as President Donald Trump weighs options to prevent Iran from advancing its nuclear capabilities, including the possibility of sending U.S. forces to secure highly enriched uranium within the country.
Trump indicated that using U.S. ground troops against Iran would become a contingency if Tehran fails to reach an agreement involving the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. When directly questioned about deploying troops into Iran, Trump declined to rule out such action.
The issue of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile has long been a flashpoint in U.S. foreign policy, with lawmakers on Capitol Hill debating the best course of action to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons while avoiding a wider regional conflict.
