After the United States got involved in the conflict between Iran and Israel, questions circled the legality of the Presidents decision to attack nuclear sites in the Middle East. However, one South Dakota Senator argues he did not overstep his power with the decision.
The coordinated strikes between Israel and the US now have over a week to reflect upon, and the ultimate results are still unclear.
While President Donald Trump described the Iran nuclear program as “obliterated”, others are unsure about that result. Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s chief spokesperson, seemed optimistic and recently was quoted describing Iran as two years from completing a nuclear device.
At the same time, nuclear watchdogs in the United Nations say Iran will likely be enriching uranium within months. Further, they report while Iran is open to negotiation with the US, halting uranium enrichment is likely off the table.
South Dakota Republican Sen. Mike Rounds sits on several national security-oriented subcommittees, including armed forces and intelligence. He said he’s happy with the outcome of the strikes.
“The mission itself was a huge success," Rounds said. "Our goal was not to destroy uranium, it was not to kill people, and it was not to force a change in the administrations and regimes. Our goal was to make a chokepoint on the Iranians and stop them from taking the uranium that had been enriched and converting it into the next step, which was weapons-grade uranium.”
While Rounds says regime change wasn’t the goal, that didn’t stop the President from threatening the Iranian supreme leader, Ali Khamani, on social media platforms.
Additional questions have surrounded the Presidents’ power to call a unilateral strike like this, but Rounds said he’s confident in the legality.
“It was limited in nature," Rounds said. "Court cases and the Constitution give him the responsibility as Commander-in-Chief to make that limited strike in the name of achieving a national priority or interest.”
Following the strike, Iran suspended its cooperation with a UN nuclear watchdog.