Rabia Iclal Turan
12 March 2026•Update: 12 March 2026
WASHINGTON
US Democratic Senator Chris Murphy criticized the Trump administration’s decision to go to war with Iran, saying Israel should not determine when Washington enters a conflict in the Middle East.
“Why do we sell them the most sophisticated weapons in the world, if they can dictate terms to us on when we put US lives at risk in the Middle East?” Murphy told reporters on Capitol Hill, according to Drop Site News.
“That doesn't make sense to me, but no other reason why we went to a war makes a lot of sense either,” he added.
Murphy also said he remains unconvinced by the administration’s justification for the war and questioned Washington’s relationship with Israel in shaping the decision.
“I just have heard Marco Rubio and others say that they wouldn't have attacked unless Israel was already planning on attacking,” Murphy said, referring to the secretary of state. “But of course, everything Israel does is made possible by US support and US weapons. We should have leverage over Israel. Israel should not be telling us when to wage war against Iran. What kind of partnership is this?”
The escalation in the Middle East flared since Israel and the US launched a joint attack against Iran on Feb. 28, killing more than 1,300 victims to date, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and over 150 schoolgirls.
Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, killing at least eight US service members and injuring 140.
