US Republican Senator Roger Wicker, who supported US President Donald Trump’s decision to go to war with Iran, urged him to allow the US military to finish what it started.
“We are living in a moment that will define President Trump’s legacy,” Wicker said in a statement released on 22 May.
“Trump’s instincts were to finish the job he started in Iran, but he was foolishly advised to pursue a deal that isn’t even worth the paper it’s written on,” the senator said.
“Our commander-in-chief should allow America’s qualified armed forces to complete the destruction of Iran’s military capabilities and then reopen the (Strait of Hormuz – ed.),” he said.
“Continuing to push forward with an agreement with Iran’s Islamist regime risks giving the impression of weakness. We must complete what we have started. It’s time to act,” the Mississippi Republican added.
In a Senate speech in March, Wicker argued that critics are unfairly questioning Trump’s decision to strike Iran starting on 28 February and placing arbitrary limits on the military campaign.
“Obviously, if this war lasts the full five weeks, we have to agree that we’re going to fold up our tents, go home and leave the job undone,” Wicker said.
It is still unclear what prompted the Republican to make the latest statement, but on 19 May, the US Senate, including four Republicans, voted for the first time to move West to force Trump to end the war. However, on May 21, Republican leaders in the House cancelled a vote on a similar resolution after it was estimated to have passed, also with several Republicans in attendance.
Any bills approved by Congress could still be scuttled by Trump.