Rep. Thompson, Sens. Fetterman and McCormick support Trump on Iran strikes
U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson and Pennsylvania’s two U.S. senators expressed support for President Donald Trump and after the U.S. military hit three sites in Iran in an attempt to destroy Iran’s nuclear program early Sunday.
Thompson, a Republican from Centre County whose district includes Potter and McKean counties, stated on X that Iran was given every opportunity to back away from its nuclear weapons program.
“President Trump gave the Iranian Regime 60 days to pursue a nuclear deal — it refused,” Thompson stated. “They have supported terrorism, targeted Israelis and Americans, and now WILL NOT obtain a nuclear weapon.”
Democratic Sen. John Fetterman stated on X as well: “As I’ve long maintained, this was the correct move by @POTUS. … 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.”
Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine speaks during a news conference at the Pentagon in Washington, Sunday, June 22, 2025, after the U.S. military struck three sites in Iran, directly joining Israel’s effort to destroy the country’s nuclear program. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Sen. Dave McCormick, a Republican and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Near East, South Asia, Central Asia and Counterterrorism, issued the following statement on the U.S. targeted bombings:
“As I have said all along, Iran must not have a nuclear weapon. 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.”
McCormick applauded 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.”
The senator added he is “so grateful for America’s brave warriors, who appear to have achieved their mission successfully and are returning home safely. … This is an important step toward ensuring that the world’s largest state sponsor of terror never obtains a nuclear weapon.”
SHAPIRO TEAM ADDRESSES SECURITY
Gov. Josh Shapiro said Sunday that state officials have been in contact to ensure “there is no threat” to the people of Pennsylvania, the Times-Tribune of Scranton reported.
“Our security team, our state police, Homeland Security and others — we’ve been in dialogue with one another to make sure that there’s no threat to the commonwealth as a result of what happened overseas,” the governor said. “The people of Pennsylvania are safe. We’re going to remain vigilant in our work here to keep the people of Pennsylvania safe.”
Shapiro addressed the strikes while he and state Lt. Gov. Austin Davis were at Pocono Raceway ahead of Sunday’s Great American Getaway 400 NASCAR race.
Shapiro said Iran’s nuclear program was “obviously very dangerous” but he also called for no escalation on the part of the U.S. in the ongoing military confrontation between Iran and Israel.
“I don’t think any of us want to get dragged into another long war in the Middle East.” he said. “I think it is important that we are vigilant about that. Obviously, the Trump administration holds a responsibility for what comes next in ensuring our American troops and our personnel in the region are safe.”
The governor also said there must be accountability for the strikes moving forward, including whether more diplomacy could have accomplished any agreement from Iran to step back from its nuclear capabilities.
“And I think it’s also important that we have a full accounting for what actually happened last night,” Shapiro said. “I want to hear from military leaders about whether or not this mission was successful.”
Shapiro also thanked the American military personnel, including those from Pennsylvania, who were involved in the strikes’ planning and execution.
NEGOTIATION DOOR OPEN
The Associated Press reported Sunday afternoon that the Trump administration signaled a willingness to renew talks with Iran and avoid a prolonged war in the aftermath of a surprise attack on three of the country’s nuclear sites.
Trump, who had addressed the nation from the White House on Saturday night, allowed his national security team to speak for him Sunday. AP reported the coordinated messaging by his vice president, Pentagon chief, top military adviser and secretary of state suggested a confidence that any fallout from the attack would be manageable and that Iran’s lack of military capabilities would ultimately force it back to the bargaining table.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said at a news conference that America “does not seek war” with Iran while Vice President JD Vance said the strikes have given Tehran the possibility of returning to negotiate with Washington.
“Operation Midnight Hammer, involved decoys and deception, and met with no Iranian resistance, according to Hegseth and Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
“This mission was not and has not been about regime change,” Hegseth added. Caine said the goal of the operation — destroying nuclear sites in Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan — had been achieved.
“Final battle damage will take some time, but initial battle damage assessments indicate that all three sites sustained extremely severe damage and destruction,” Caine said.
Vance said in a television interview that while he would not discuss “sensitive intelligence about what we’ve seen on the ground,” he felt “very confident that we’ve substantially delayed their development of a nuclear weapon.”
Pressed further, he told NBC’s “Meet the Press” that “I think that we have really pushed their program back by a very long time. I think that it’s going to be many many years before the Iranians are able to develop a nuclear weapon.”
