Lipinski: Tensions With Iran 'Eased' After Missile Strikes

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Hours after Iran fired missiles on two Iraqi airbases that house U.S. and coalition forces, Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) and other members of the House and Senate attended a classified briefing Wednesday on the strike that killed Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani.

The Iranian airstrikes appeared to be aimed at unpopulated parts of the U.S. and coalition airbases and meant to be a “very loud warning shot,” in retaliation for Soleimani’s death, according to military analysts.

Lipinski issued a written statement after the briefing, saying he “couldn’t say much about the specific content of the classified briefing.

“Administration officials signaled that tensions with Iran have eased significantly since Iran’s attack last night on Iraqi military bases housing American and other nations’ troops. This should be a great relief to all Americans. No one should want a war with Iran.”

The congressman said that while immediate high-level tensions have eased, questions remained about of how America moves forward with a strategic plan to address Iran and the nation’s response to future “Iranian aggression.”

“Iran continues to be a very dangerous country whose influence is expansive across the Middle East and whose actions continue to threaten regional and American security,” Lipinski said. “Congress must have input addressing these questions. “Congress must have input addressing these questions.”

Lipinski’s take on the briefing and the attack differed sharply from his fellow Congress members. Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah called the briefing the "worst briefing I've had on a military issue."