Ohio lawmakers react to U.S., Israel strikes on Iran

OHIO — Ohio lawmakers reacted to the U.S. and Israel’s strikes on Iran Saturday.

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The U.S. and Israel launched a major attack on Iran on Saturday, and U.S. President Donald Trump called on the Iranian public to “seize control of your destiny” by rising up against the Islamic leadership that has ruled the nation since 1979, the Associated Press reported.

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Several Ohio lawmakers have reacted to the attack.

Senator Jon Husted (R-Ohio) released a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, stating that “the President took action to address the threat Iran poses to America and global stability.”

“For 47 years, the Iranian regime had ample opportunity to be a productive member of the global community. Instead, it chose to export death, terrorism, extremism, and instability against America and our allies. It did all of this while brutally oppressing its own people, who yearned for the freedom and prosperity that they deserve but the regime has refused to deliver.

Today, the President took action to address the threat Iran poses to America and global stability. I look forward to being briefed and learning more from the administration in the coming days.

I pray for our military servicemembers, all Israeli military personnel, and our allies in harm’s way. May God bless them and keep them safe."

For 47 years, the Iranian regime had ample opportunity to be a productive member of the global community. Instead, it chose to export death, terrorism, extremism, and instability against America and our allies. It did all of this while brutally oppressing its own people, who…
— Senator Jon Husted (@SenJonHusted) February 28, 2026

Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) released a statement, stating that he fully supports President Trump’s decision to “eliminate the threat once and for all once it became clear there was no other option.”

“God bless and protect our troops. President Trump sought for months to avoid conflict and negotiate with Iran to prevent them from rebuilding their nuclear program. I fully support his decision to eliminate the threat once and for all once it became clear there was no other option. President Trump will always put America’s interests first and defend American citizens. I have complete trust in him to finally bring peace to the Middle East.”
— Senator Bernie Moreno

Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio) shared a statement on X, calling the president’s actions “reckless,” saying they “put American troops in danger, leaving them vulnerable to retaliation.”

Donald Trump was required to seek Congressional approval before striking Iran — but he didn’t. Now, his reckless actions have put American troops in danger, leaving them vulnerable to retaliation. The safety of Americans must come first: Congress must quickly vote on the War…
— Rep. Joyce Beatty (@RepBeatty) February 28, 2026

Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH) from Ohio’s 4th congressional district praised the decision on social media.

“God Bless the United States Military. God Bless America.

God Bless the United States Military.

God Bless America. https://t.co/dxPnsWtEPd
— Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) February 28, 2026

Representative Warren Davidson (R-OH) from Ohio’s 8th congressional district said that “war requires Congressional authorization.”

“Surely Congress can be troubled with a vote? Surely any administration can define the mission? Or, more of the same, ‘as much as it takes, as long as it takes’ in another place.”

Surely Congress can be troubled with a vote? 🤔

Surely any administration can define the mission?

Or, more of the same “as much as it takes, as long as it takes” in another place. 🤔
— Warren Davidson 🇺🇸 (@WarrenDavidson) February 28, 2026

Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH) from Ohio’s 1st congressional district said he hopes that “these target strikes on the Iranian regime’s military assets” bring lasting peace.

“The U.S. is destroying Iran’s missiles and bombs to stop them from taking more lives.

“These strikes are targeting military infrastructure – with warnings to Iranian civilians to take shelter away from these military targets.

“If it wasn’t for the regime, the region may very well know peace.

“For decades, the regime has caused mayhem and bloodshed through Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, the Houthis in Yemen – all while the people of Iran have suffered.

“When the Iranian people stood up to protest the regime last month, the regime murdered tens of thousands of its own people.

“I want a lasting peace for everyone in the region – from the Iranian people to the Lebanese, Palestinians, Syrians, Iraqis, Jordanians, and Israelis.

“I hope these targeted strikes on the Iranian regime’s military assets end the regime’s mayhem and bloodshed and makes way for this lasting peace in the region.

“Thank you to our brave service members who are leading this effort, and I pray their work will finally free the people of Iran and those in the region from more violence or war.

“May peace emerge from all of this.”

The U.S. is destroying Iran’s missiles and bombs to stop them from taking more lives. 🧵👇🏼
— Congressman Greg Landsman (@RepGregLandsman) February 28, 2026

The White House shared a video of President Trump on X, which was reposted by United States Vice President JD Vance.

In the video, President Trump stated he was “not happy with the negotiation” between Iran and the United States regarding Iran’s pursuit of obtaining a nuclear weapon.

“They just don’t want to, they don’t want to say the key words: ‘we’re not going to have a nuclear weapon.’ They have to say ‘we’re not going to have a nuclear weapon,’ and they just can’t quite get there,” President Trump said in the video.