By Richard L. Gaw
Staff Writer

As expected, responses from Pennsylvania lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle generated mixed reactions to an order by President Donald Trump on June 20 that led to the destruction of three nuclear assemblies in Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan, Iran that decimated the country’s nuclear capability. 

Speaking from the Pocono Raceway on June 22, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro urged the U.S. military to show caution in its future decisions regarding the country’s involvement in the Israeli-Iranian conflict.

“I think what is most important right now is that we not have any escalation beyond what occurred last night,” Shapiro said. “I don’t think any of us want to get dragged into another long war in the Middle East. I think it is important that we are vigilant about that. Obviously, the Trump administration holds a responsibility for what comes next and ensuring that our American troops and our personnel in the region are safe. 

“I will say with regard to the Iranian nuclear program, that was obviously very, very dangerous. The idea that Iran, the world’s largest sponsor of terror, would have a nuclear weapon, would not only destabilize the Middle East, but it would create risk for American interests at home and abroad.”

Shapiro said that in his capacity as Governor, his principal responsibility is to “ensure the safety and well-being of the good people of Pennsylvania.

“The first thing I want to say to the people of Pennsylvania is our security team, our State Police, homeland security and others [have] been in dialogue with one another to make sure that there is no threat to the Commonwealth as a result of what happened overseas,” he said. “There is no threat. The people of Pennsylvania are safe and we’re going to remain vigilant in our work here to keep the people of Pennsylvania safe.”

A recent briefing in the Pentagon detailed the mission known as Operation Midnight Hammer, that involved 125 aircraft and seven B-2 stealth bombers that embarked on an 18-hour flight from the U.S. to the three nuclear centers in Iran. Just before the aircraft entered Iranian airspace, more than two dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles were launched from a U.S. submarine at targets at the Isfahan site. Employing several deception and decoy tactics, the seven B-2 bombers proceeded into Iran and dropped two GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs) - also known as “bunker buster” bombs - on the nuclear site at Fordo and a total of 14 MOPs were dropped on two target areas.

All three Iranian nuclear infrastructure targets were bombed between 18:40 Eastern Standard Time and 19:05 Eastern Standard Time.

In an address to the nation on Saturday evening, Trump said that the U.S. military’s objective was to destroy Iran’s “nuclear enrichment capacity and a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world’s number one state sponsor of terror.” 

Shapiro urges ‘diplomacy’

“It is good if Iran does not possess a nuclear weapon,” Shapiro said. “I think it is important now that there be some accounting for the questions that I think a lot of people have, whether more diplomacy could have accomplished that, and I think it’s also important that we have a full accounting for what actually happened last night. I want to hear from military leaders about whether or not this mission was successful.”

Shapiro called upon the Trump administration to practice “diplomacy” in helping Iran and Israel end violence in the Middle East and work toward a cease fire.

“We need to end these hostilities,” he said. “Bringing home these hostages is key to that, and I want to just tell you that I’m praying right now for everybody in the Middle East, especially our Americans who are overseas - Americans who here who are on our bases. We want to make sure that they are safe and they’re going to be in our prayers.”

McCormick and Fetterman show support for U.S. action

Pennsylvania’s Senators – Republican Dave McCormick and Democrat John Fetterman – echoed similar support for the strikes against Iran. 

“As I have said all along, Iran must not have a nuclear weapon,” McCormick said in a statement. “This targeted attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities is the result of the Iranian regime’s failure to make a deal despite months of President Trump’s good faith efforts to negotiate. I applaud President Trump’s strong leadership and his continued commitment to peace through strength. “Once again, America’s detractors around the world should know President Trump means what he says. I am so grateful for America’s brave warriors, who appear to have achieved their mission successfully and are returning home safely. I look forward to being briefed along with my Senate colleagues on this action. This is an important step toward ensuring that the world’s largest state sponsor of terror never obtains a nuclear weapon.”

Fetterman, who has spoken in defense of Trump on several issues, also offered support for the decision to bomb Irania nuclear arsenal sites – a stance that greatly differed from that of his Democratic colleagues who have levied criticism of American involvement in the Middle East.

“As I’ve long maintained, this was the correct move by @POTUS,” Fetterman wrote on his social media post. “Iran is the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism and cannot have nuclear capabilities. I’m grateful for and salute the finest military in the world.”

‘Unconstitutional’ and ‘dangerous’

U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan soundly criticized the Trump administration for not seeking Congressional approval before launching the attacks on Iran.

“We have bombed a nation we are not at war with and have done so without Congress knowing about it, voting on it or approving it,” Houlahan wrote in a social media post on June 21. “President Trump’s actions are not only unconstitutional—they are dangerous. As Ranking Member of the Military Personnel Subcommittee, I am especially concerned for our service members, their families and other Americans who are in the region and request an immediate briefing on the full details. The Trump administration must brief Congress immediately and fully on this action and the Americans currently in the region who are at risk and must also come before Congress as required before taking any further action.”

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email [email protected].