Israel should not strike Iranian nuclear facilities in response to Iran’s ballistic missile attack on Israel, according to U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).
“Widening the escalation of the war to include Iran may not be in Israel's interest, or that of the U.S. And a nuclear-armed Iran is a threat not just to the U.S. but to the world,” Blumenthal said at a press briefing at the King David hotel in Jerusalem on Monday.
He spoke after he and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The senators had traveled to Israel for the first anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas.
“The focus must be on de-escalation, and any enduring peace for the region has to include a two-state solution for the Palestinians,” Blumenthal said. "I’ve supported a two-state solution, I believe it is still a worthwhile goal.”
“I’m not sure it is achievable in the present circumstance, immediately, but I do believe that there is a path achievable toward self-determination and self-governance,” he added.
The Israeli government has said it would respond to the Iranian attack.
