Beyond the Headlines: Iran Through Policy and Personal Experience
Rep. Lloyd Smucker, Sen. Rick Santorum, and Nadia Sharifi all gave insight on Iran.
Congressman Lloyd Smucker
Congressman Lloyd Smucker represents Pennsylvania’s 11th Congressional District, covering Lancaster County and parts of York County.
Former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum
Rick Santorum is a former U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania, serving from 1995 to 2007, and previously a member of the U.S. House. Known for his conservative positions on social and national security issues.
Nadia Sharifi
Nadia Sharifi is the founder and CEO of TrimLine Weight Loss & Wellness. Nadia has described her upbringing in Iran under a repressive environment and the dangers her family faced. Today she spoke about being “born in Iran and later raised under a regime ruled by fear and oppression” and how her family’s situation became increasingly unsafe.
U.S. Representative Scott Perry, a Republican who represents York County, echoed President Donald Trump's call for regime change in Iran. In a post on X, Perry said, "The hour of your freedom has arrived. Your destiny is in your hands. Take Back Your Government and Return Persia."
U.S. Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat, also backed the strikes. "President Trump has been willing to do what's right and necessary to produce real peace in the region," Fetterman said via his Facebook page. "God bless the United States, our great military, and Israel."
U.S. Representative Dan Meuser, a Republican who represents several Pennsylvania counties including Lebanon County, called the strikes a turning point. In a post on X, Meuser said, "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. 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."
Not everyone in Pennsylvania's political leadership supported the strikes without reservation. Governor Shapiro released a statement raising serious questions about the decision to act without Congressional approval. "In our democracy, the American people — through our elected representatives — decide when our nation goes to war," Shapiro said. "Yet, today President Trump acted unilaterally — without Congressional approval and outside of the guardrails set up by our founders in Philadelphia nearly 250 years ago."