President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have urged Iranians to overthrow their government.
Representative Mike Turner said the US is not targeting Iranian leaders and is not seeking to replace the Islamic Republic’s government.
The US and Israel attacked Iran on Saturday, killing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior officials.
US President Donald Trump called the attack Operation Epic Fury, a revenge for decades of grievances and an opportunity for anti-government forces in Iran to seize control of the country – mirroring calls from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“The President of the United States has indicated that we are targeting the military, the military infrastructure, and not the regime, and not regime change.” Turner said Sunday on CBS News’ “Face the Nation.”
A former senior Republican lawmaker on the House Intelligence Committee confirmed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday. “We are not targeting Khamenei and we are not targeting the leadership in Iran.”
Asked if this meant Israel killed Khamenei without US approval, Turner called it proof of the Iranian leader’s death. “Better to be a friend of the United States than a murderous tyrant.”
The White House is scheduled to brief Congress on the operation on Tuesday. The attack comes days before a debate on a proposed war powers resolution that could scuttle the administration’s plans if not delayed. Lawmakers have backed the bill, which seeks to strengthen Congress’ constitutional authority to declare war.
Trump’s decision to approve a risky military operation — contrary to his campaign promises to avoid foreign entanglements — has sparked widespread speculation on American political podcasts about what he swayed.
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