SerpApi.Org
Rep. Pat Harrigan, R-N.C., said Thursday the Trump administration must either declare its objectives in Iran achieved and withdraw or commit to a strategy that decisively defeats the country's leadership, warning against allowing the conflict to become another "forever war."
Speaking on Newsmax's "National Report," Harrigan acknowledged the financial burden of the military campaign while arguing that prolonged uncertainty would be unacceptable to both Congress and the American public.
"There's no question that the costs are substantial," Harrigan said. "This is not free. This is costing a lot of money."
Harrigan said Secretary of War Pete Hegseth had outlined the expected costs of the operation through the end of the current fiscal year, but argued that the administration now faces two distinct paths forward.
"One of them is to effectively say that we have met our tactical and, to a certain extent, strategic objectives and declare victory and leave," Harrigan said. "The other is we need to actually do what is necessary in order to put Iran in a decision box where we actually force them to lose."
He argued that neither course has yet been pursued, leaving lawmakers concerned about the potential for an extended military engagement.
"So I think what we're concerned about here in Congress is that this turns into another forever war," Harrigan said.
The North Carolina Republican, a combat veteran, said lawmakers with military experience are especially wary of repeating the lengthy conflicts that followed the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
"None of the global war on terror veterans who sit in Congress are going to allow that to happen," he said.
Harrigan said he has not yet seen evidence of "mission creep" suggesting the administration is steadily expanding U.S. objectives. However, he cautioned that a prolonged strategy lacking either a decisive victory or a defined exit plan could eventually produce that outcome.
"The longer that we go, deciding not to do enough to win, but just enough to not lose, the more we get concerned that we are just kicking the can down the road in this conflict," Harrigan said.
He added that such an approach would not reflect the wishes of the American public.
"That's not acceptable," Harrigan said. "And that's not what the American people want either."
Harrigan's comments come as lawmakers continue to scrutinize the costs and long-term objectives of U.S. military operations involving Iran, with members of both parties seeking greater clarity on the administration's strategy.
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