Rep. Mike Turner Comments on U.S. Actions Against Iran

On Sunday, Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) stated on ABC’s “This Week” that the military actions taken by the Trump administration have effectively halted Iran’s progress toward becoming a nuclear power.

A brief transcript follows:

TURNER: The crucial aspect here is the inevitability of this conflict. Iran continues to pursue its nuclear ambitions. As President Obama acknowledged when he altered the nuclear enrichment agreement, we cannot simply observe while Iran inches closer to developing nuclear weapons. The current administration has opted for military action to prevent that.

Now, with this intervention, the president aims to diminish Iran’s military capabilities against the U.S. and its allies. We are witnessing a reduction in Iran’s ability to use force, act as a state sponsor of terrorism, and threaten U.S. allies. Importantly, their potential to become a nuclear power appears to be significantly curtailed.

George Stephanopoulos: That’s significant. However, the Strait of Hormuz is closed, American gasoline prices are rising, and global oil prices are escalating. The president suggested that the Strait could reopen on its own. Is that a practical expectation, or do we need ground forces?

TURNER: Well, George, in any conflict, Iran will have certain capabilities. But if we don’t actively engage, we risk a situation similar to what the Obama administration faced, allowing Iran to become a nuclear power akin to North Korea. This could endanger not just the Strait of Hormuz, but also Europe and our own homeland. The entire world could find itself at the mercy of a terrorist state. Even as Iran appears to be in its last stages of military capacity, its chance to advance toward becoming a nuclear state has been greatly reduced.