Colorado's congressional delegation reacts to strikes between Israel and Iran – ColoradoPolitics.com

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Israeli Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept missiles over Tel Aviv, Israel, on Friday, June 13, 2025.

Israeli Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept missiles over Tel Aviv, Israel, on Friday, June 13, 2025.
Members of Colorado’s congressional delegation expressed support for Israel in the wake of the country’s attack on Iran’s nuclear capability late Thursday, with some calling for the United States to work to deescalate the conflict.
The state’s two members of their respective chambers’ intelligence committees, Democrats U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet and U.S. Rep. Jason Crow, also faulted the Trump administration for withdrawing from the nuclear agreement with Iran, suggesting that the move increased dangers in the region.
“For the sake of U.S. national security and the future of the Middle East, I have long believed that the Iranian regime must not acquire a nuclear weapon,” Bennet said in a statement. “Yet since President Trump’s first term, Iran has proceeded rapidly with its nuclear program and malign activity throughout the region — threatening Israel and other U.S. allies and partners.”
Noting that he’s monitoring developments and in close contact with intelligence and national security agencies, Bennet added: “The Iranian regime has long promised to destroy Israel, and Israel has an undeniable right to defend itself. Amid swiftly unfolding events in the Middle East, the United States must cooperate with our allies and partners to defend American troops, diplomats, and personnel across the region and prevent further escalation.”
Crow, who also sits on the House Armed Services Committee, said in a statement that Israel’s military strikes against Iran “could result in a dangerous escalation in the Middle East, which could jeopardize the lives of American servicemembers and civilians, and pull the U.S. into a broader conflict.”
Trump’s decision in his first administration to pull out of the multinational nuclear agreement with Iran “has created substantial risk and set us on the path to this moment,” Crow added. “The two parties and the U.S. must now work to de-escalate this situation. The American people do not want to be pulled into another conflict in the Middle East.”
The Associated Press reported Friday that Iran retaliated with multiple waves of ballistic missile attacks on Israel, resulting in explosions over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, as Israeli interceptors greeted the salvos.
In a statement on X posted soon after Israel launched its first barrage, Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank characterized Iran as “(the) biggest star sponsor of terror” and said the country “could never be allowed to possess nuclear weapons.”
“I am praying for the safety of Americans in the region, the Israeli people, and the successful elimination of Iran’s entire nuclear program,” Crank said.
Republican U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans, a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, said on X: “I am closely monitoring the unfolding situation in the Middle East. Israel has the indisputable right to exist and our prayers are with them.”
Democratic U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper said in a statement that he, too, is “closely following the scaling situation in Iran” and called for all involved to “avoid a wider regional conflict.”
“Iran must never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons,” Hickenlooper said. “Its reckless pursuit of this technology and its destabilizing actions across the region have brought us to this moment. Israel has an undeniable right to defend itself. We need to return to diplomacy and find a lasting solution that protects Americans, our allies, our diplomats, and our servicemembers.”
In a written statement, Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd told Colorado Politics that America “stands with” its ally Israel, a country he said is under threat and has “every right to defend itself.”
Added Hurd: “We pray for peace, but we recognize the reality of evil in the world — and we must be prepared to confront it. I will continue to support Israel and a strong U.S. posture in the Middle East.”
Democratic U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen expressed the same sentiment in a statement posted to X.
“Israel has the right to defend itself and Iran has consistently proven to be both an enemy of Israel and an adversary of the United States,” Pettersen said. “Hezbollah, working hand in hand with Hamas, has made its goal clear: the destruction of the Jewish state. Iran having nuclear weapons is unbelievably dangerous for Israel, the US, and the world. Iran is also the largest funder of terrorism in the world and their destruction must not go unchecked.”
Pettersen added that she is also “deeply concerned about the escalation and instability across the region.”
“Diplomacy should always come first but unfortunately Iran has continued to pursue nuclear proliferation, despite consistent warning calls from the rest of the international community,” Pettersen said. “Increased tensions risk starting a broader conflict that would endanger innocent lives — including American servicemembers — and jeopardize our hope for peace in the Middle East.”
Israel launched a blistering attack on the heart of Iran’s nuclear and military structure, deploying warplanes and drones smuggled into the country to target key facilities and kill top generals and scientists — a barrage it said was necessary before its adversary got any closer to building an atomic weapon. The operation raised the potential for all-out war between the countries and propelled the region, already on edge, into even greater upheaval. Multiple sites around the country were hit on Friday, including Iran’s main nuclear enrichment facility, where black smoke could be seen rising into the air. Israel’s military said it has begun stationing troops in “all combat arenas” throughout the country as its attack on Iran continued and it braced for retaliation.
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