Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump Saturday warned Iran that “time is running out,” giving what he described as “48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them,” as lawmakers in Congress sharply criticised his strategy and authority in the escalating conflict.
In a social media post, Trump said: “Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT. Time is running out – 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them. Glory be to GOD!”
The warning comes amid intensifying debate in Washington over the administration’s handling of the war, now in its fifth week, with lawmakers questioning both its objectives and execution.
Representative Brad Schneider, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the President had failed to provide clarity on his goals.
“Though he repeatedly stated his commitment to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, his speech offered neither certainty nor clarity regarding his strategy,” Schneider said.
He added that “the President did not define how he will set the region on a path to stability and peace,” noting that Iran’s “nuclear program is still in place” and its missiles “remain a threat to our allies, particularly the UAE and Israel.”
Separately, Representative Joaquin Castro opposed the administration’s request for additional war funding, sharply criticising both the rationale and consequences of the conflict.
“The president is asking for an extra $350 billion for his reckless war against Iran,” Castro said. “I will vote not to fund this illegal war, and will vote no.”
He said the war had been launched “under false pretenses and without congressional authorization,” adding: “He claimed that Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States. It didn’t.”
Castro warned of broader global and domestic fallout, saying Iran “has been able to effectively close the Straits of Hormuz, where 20 percent of the world’s oil and significant amounts of fertiliser and other critical products flow through.”
Castro cautioned against further escalation, warning of “the President’s consideration of a significant ground invasion that will only cost more American lives and commit another generation of Americans to a regime change war in the Middle East.”
Both lawmakers called for a shift towards diplomacy. Schneider said the path forward requires “working together with our allies, using both good faith negotiations and the threat of shared military might,” while Castro urged “negotiating a ceasefire and a diplomatic agreement to re-open the Straits of Hormuz.”
(IANS)
