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Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., on Sunday spoke out against President Donald Trump’s threats to bomb Iran, warning that such an attack may backfire as the U.S. government monitors the Middle Eastern country’s response to widespread protests.
During an appearance on ABC’s “This Week,” Paul said he is unsure that striking Iran “will have the effect that is intended.”
“I don’t think I have ever heard a president say they may take military action to protect protesters,” Paul said. “Certainly, with Soleimani, when the Trump administration hit him, there were massive protests against America. But they are shouting ‘death to the Ayatollah.'”
“We wish them the best,” he added. “We wish freedom and liberation the best across the world, but I don’t think it’s the job of the American government to be involved with every freedom movement around the world.”
TRUMP SAYS US WILL INTERVENE IF IRAN STARTS KILLING PROTESTERS: ‘LOCKED AND LOADED’
Sen. Rand Paul spoke out against President Donald Trump’s threats to bomb Iran, warning that such an attack may not have the intended effect. ( Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Paul also stressed concern about how the Trump administration would distinguish Iranian protesters from law enforcement if the president were to seek military action.
“How do you drop a bomb in the middle of a crowd or a protest and protect the people there?” Paul asked.
The Republican lawmaker also warned that attacking Iran may unintentionally rally protesters behind the Ayatollah.
“If you bomb the government, do you then rally people to their flag who are upset with the Ayatollah, but then say, ‘Well, gosh, we can’t have a foreign government invading or bombing our country?'” Paul said.
“It tends to have people rally to the cause,” he continued. “So, I think the protests are directed at the Ayatollah, justifiably so.”
Paul added: “The best way is to encourage them and say that, of course, we would recognize a government that…
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