Our Republican Legacy’s Statement of Principles Related to War and Peace in Iran

Because there was no immediate threat to the United States when President Trump initiated war in Iran, we believe that military action then was unjustified and a disastrous blunder.  That decision, however wrong, is behind us, and the question now is where the United States should go from here, given the situation in which we find ourselves. To help guide future actions, we offer these principles.

1. Unless there is imminent threat to the peace and security of the United States, in which case the president has inherent power to protect our country, the president should follow the Constitution and seek congressional authorization before ordering military action. 

2. The United States should always adhere to the rules of just warfare under both U.S. domestic and international law, including proportionality and protection of noncombatants.  The President’s recent threat that “a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back,” is horrific and repugnant to the rule of law.  Congress must reject it directly and unambiguously.

3. A resolution of hostilities must achieve restoration of full freedom of navigation through the international Strait of Hormuz.

Steve Bartlett, Texas

Barbara Comstock, Virginia

Jack Danforth, Missouri

Mickey Edwards, Oklahoma

Leonard Lance, New Jersey

Marc Racicot, Montana

Claudine Schneider, Rhode Island

Christopher Shays, Connecticut

David Trott, Michigan

Fred Upton, Michigan