Trump will resume strikes on Iran without rapid deal, Republican senator says
US President Donald Trump will resume strikes on Iran unless Tehran quickly agrees to end its nuclear program and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Republican Senator Jim Banks said on Sunday.
“If the Iranians don’t come to the table and rapidly make an agreement … President Trump is going to bomb the hell out of them again,” Banks told Fox News.
Banks said Trump still preferred a peaceful resolution and described the postponement of planned strikes as another opportunity for Tehran to return to negotiations, rather than a sign of weakness or retreat.
Banks said there were divisions within Iran’s leadership, with a “radicalized military” opposed by members of the governing establishment who wanted an agreement because of US military pressure.
“You’re dealing with different factions. You’re dealing with a radicalized military, and you’re dealing with a governing class in Iran who I think really does want to make a deal because they’ve been brought to their knees. They know what the American military is capable of,” he said.