Quincy Institute Responds To Trump Threat To Bomb 52 Iranian Sites
CONTACT: Jessica Rosenblum, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, 202.800.4662/ [email protected]
WASHINGTON– Trita Parsi, Executive Vice President of Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, released the following statement in response to President Trump’s threat today to bomb 52 sites in Iran, including cultural ones.
“Donald Trump’s reckless threats to bomb 52 sites in Iran, including cultural sites, constitute another dangerous escalation that may divert headlines from impeachment, but only at the cost of making America less safe.
Only a few months ago, Trump called off an attack on Iran with 10 minutes to spare, leaving his advisors in shock. Trump showed restraint and insisted – somewhat convincingly – that he did not want war. Now, however, he seems determined to elicit a violent reaction from Iran so that he can start a full-scale war. The only thing that has changed since this past summer is impeachment.
It is increasingly difficult to find a logic in Trump’s behavior beyond his desperation to survive politically. But Americans and Iranians should not have to die for his political benefit.
America has gone down this path before–an administration notoriously known for lying provides ‘razor thin’ evidence to justify a military escalation that can spark a war and that puts Americans in peril. Last time, thousands of Iraqis and Americans were killed and an entire region was destabilized. This time, it will be worse.
Instead of starting a new endless war, Trump should end the existing ones and withdraw US military forces from the Middle East. That would make America safer.”
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