Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) criticized President Donald Trump’s handling of the Iran war, arguing the administration entered the conflict without a clear strategy or exit plan as costs have climbed.
Kelly Says Trump Lacks Iran Exit Strategy
On Sunday, speaking on ABC News’ This Week, Kelly said Trump entered the war “without a strategic goal, without a plan, without a timeline, without an exit strategy.”
“He’s stuck,” Kelly said, adding that Trump has “his son-in-law trying to negotiate this with his golf and real estate buddy.”
He criticized the administration’s approach to negotiations, saying, “You have to get some professionals who understand the Iranians and know how to negotiate with them.”
Kelly also said the U.S. should not leave the Strait of Hormuz in Iran’s hands and argued that Tehran “can’t be allowed to get a nuclear weapon.”
Iran War Costs Top $40 Billion
Kelly said the conflict has taken a significant toll on U.S. service members and resources.
“We didn’t have over 20 dead service members and 800 injured. This thing has been a disaster, and it’s been a mistake,” he said.
Asked about Iran’s assertion that most U.S. bases in the region are no longer usable, Kelly rejected the characterization, while acknowledging that several bases had been struck and sustained significant damage.
“Combining the damage to our military equipment and the munitions expended and the additional costs of this war, we’re talking about tens of billions of dollars, probably in excess of $40 billion at this point with no end in sight,” he said.
Iran Kept Door Open to Negotiations
Iran said it remained ready for renewed fighting while keeping negotiations open.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran would resist new aggression, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran was willing to negotiate over its nuclear program but rejected “bullying or coercion.”
Tehran also proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz as part of a negotiated solution.
U.S. and Iranian negotiators separately discussed a phased arrangement that could have linked reopening Hormuz with lifting U.S. restrictions on Iranian ports.
The talks faced hurdles as neither side wanted to give up leverage first. Trump rejected Iran’s proposal, while a White House official said Trump “holds all the cards.”
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image via Shutterstock/ Below the Sky
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