Photo: JULIA NIKHINSON / AFP / Getty Images
Rep. Dan Meuser (R-Pennsylvania) is throwing his support behind the joint U.S.-Israeli military strikes on Iran, calling the operation a "historic turning point" after Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the assault.
President Trump announced the death of the 86-year-old supreme leader on social media, saying it gave Iranians their "greatest chance" to "take back" their country. According to The Morning Call, the coordinated strikes — dubbed Operation Epic Fury — hit at least nine cities across Iran and were carried out on Saturday (March 1), during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
In a Facebook post, Meuser said the strikes mark a turning point in a long and dangerous conflict. "For nearly five decades, Iran has pursued a dangerous agenda of Shia Islamic revolution, anti-Western hostility, and nuclear armament, inflicting harm across the region and beyond," Meuser wrote. "Now, through resolute action by the United States and Israel, we are drawing a firm line, offering the Iranian people and the broader Middle East a genuine opportunity for freedom, stability, and peace."
Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, who represents the Lehigh Valley, also backed the operation. As reported by WFMZ-TV, Mackenzie posted on X that "Khamenei and 40 of his top leaders have been killed" and that "the world will become a safer place in the long run because of President Trump's actions."
Pennsylvania's two U.S. senators were split on the issue. Republican Sen. Dave McCormick backed the military action, writing on X that Iran is "the world's number one sponsor of terror" and that he is "praying for our brave troops." Democratic Sen. John Fetterman also voiced support, writing that "President Trump has been willing to do what's right and necessary to produce real peace in the region."
Not all Pennsylvania leaders agreed. Gov. Josh Shapiro sharply criticized President Trump for acting without congressional approval. "In going to war with Iran, the President has not adequately explained why this war is urgent now, what this military campaign may look like, or what the strategic objective is," Shapiro said. Democratic Sen. Andy Kim of New Jersey called for Congress to return to session immediately for a war powers vote, saying he has "zero confidence in this president who has so flagrantly violated our Constitution."
According to the Associated Press via The Morning Call, Iran responded to the strikes by launching missiles and drones toward Israel and at U.S. military bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar. The U.S. military reported no American casualties and minimal damage at U.S. bases, despite what it described as "hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks." Iran quickly formed a governing council to lead the country until a new supreme leader is chosen.
The strikes also drew public protest close to home. Members of the Lehigh Valley Democratic Socialists of America and the LEPOCO Peace Center held an impromptu rally Saturday in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, calling for an end to what they described as U.S. "militarism abroad."
President Trump warned that "heavy and pinpoint bombing" would continue throughout the week and beyond, saying the operation is aimed at disabling Iran's nuclear capabilities. The Iranian Cabinet declared that the attack "will never go unanswered," and the country's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard threatened its "most intense offensive operation" ever against Israeli and American targets.
The situation remains fluid. Congress has not authorized the military action, and several lawmakers — from both parties — have called for classified briefings and a full review of the operation's scope and objectives.