WASHINGTON, May 27: US Senator Mark Warner criticised President Donald Trump for “starting a new forever war” and claimed that American military actions continue against Iran.
In a post on X, the Senator, who also serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, accused Trump of breaking promises and increasing costs. He wrote: “Donald Trump keeps claiming the war is about to end… but the truth is, America is still striking Iran. He’s breaking every promise, starting new forever wars, and raising costs on everything.”
His remarks come as negotiations progress at a snail’s pace, while the US launched new strikes on southern Iran on Monday, targeting Iranian missile sites and boats attempting to place mines.
The strikes were in “self-defence” and designed “to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces”, US Central Command (Centcom) said in a statement.
US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott defended the administration’s position, saying President Trump is taking “concrete actions” to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
“It is President Trump who is taking concrete actions to keep the Iranian regime from obtaining a nuclear weapon,” Pigott said.
He added that Trump has strengthened US alliances in the Persian Gulf and advanced regional peace through the Abraham Accords.
“President Trump’s results are speaking for themselves, the consistency of his message and mission to make America stronger and restore American leadership,” he said.
From day one, Trump has maintained that Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon, and has taken decisive action toward that goal, Pigott said.
Meanwhile, CNN reported that recent polling shows limited public support for prolonged military operations. A Fox News poll found that only 39% of registered voters support US military operations continuing “as long as it takes,” while 61% prefer a “limited timeframe.”
A New York Times-Siena College poll found that 52% of voters believe the US should end military operations even without a nuclear deal, while only 37% support continuing strikes if negotiations fail.
At the same time, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned of retaliation following US strikes on Iranian missile sites and vessels near the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC also claimed that 25 vessels, including oil tankers, transited the Strait during the “last day and night.”
As talks continue toward a possible memorandum of understanding, disagreements over language on Iran’s nuclear programme and sanctions remain key obstacles in reaching a final deal.
Iran and the United States have signalled progress toward an agreement aimed at converting the ceasefire that ended weeks of conflict into a more durable settlement.
Both sides are discussing a framework memorandum outlining a roadmap for resolving outstanding issues, though officials describe the deal as still a “work in progress,” as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
“We’re either going to have a good agreement, or we’re going to have to deal with it another way,” Rubio said during a visit to India on Monday.
Meanwhile, Republican hawks have criticised the emerging deal, calling it a “disaster” and questioning the administration’s approach. Roger Wicker, chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said a proposed 60-day ceasefire would render earlier military efforts “for naught,” adding that key objectives of the operation risk being undermined.
(UNI)
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