US senator urges Congress to cut funding for Iran war

US Sen. Chris Van Hollen said Friday that President Donald Trump was preparing to expand the US military presence in the Middle East, accusing his administration of concealing service member casualties and pursuing what he called an “illegal war of choice” in Iran.

“The President, who continues to hide service member casualties, is now sending up to another 10,000 troops to his illegal war of choice in Iran,” Van Hollen wrote on “X”. He added that Congress “must cut off funding”.

Reported troop deployment

Van Hollen’s remarks followed reports that the Pentagon is preparing to send a third aircraft carrier strike group and additional Marine Corps ships to the Middle East. The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that the deployment could bring an estimated 9,000 to 10,000 additional US troops to the region.

The newspaper, citing officials, reported that the ships, fighter jets, Marines and sailors are expected to arrive by the end of November.

Trump considering renewed strikes

The reports come as Trump considers resuming strikes on Iran after the US midterm elections in early November.