Arizona Sen. Kelly responds as US vows harder strikes on Iran

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — The United States is warning it will intensify strikes against Iran if the country moves to block oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, as American and Israeli strikes continue on land.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the U.S. would not back down. “President Trump will not allow rogue Iranian terrorists to stop the freedom of navigation and the free flow of energy,” Leavitt said.

Arizona senator voices opposition

Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) appeared on Good Morning Arizona on Wednesday to address the conflict. Kelly said he opposes the military action and expressed concern about the administration’s stated objectives.

“Well, I think one of the problems we have right now is the administration doesn’t even have a strategic goal for what the outcome should be,” Sen. Kelly said. “It hasn’t been articulated. I’ve been keeping a list. I think I’ve got about a dozen things on the list for why this even started. And I don’t see how this helps the American people afford rent and groceries and health care and certainly gas.”

Kelly said he is working on legislation to address rising gas prices but acknowledged it would have a limited impact on costs for Americans.

Pentagon confirms mine-laying boats targeted

The Pentagon confirmed more than a dozen Iranian mine-laying boats have already been targeted. US officials said Iran was preparing to deploy naval mines to the Strait of Hormuz, the key shipping route through which about 20% of the world’s oil passes.

Iran has threatened to stop oil from leaving the Gulf as it continues retaliatory strikes. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed concerns about the scope of the military operation. “This is not endless. It’s not protracted. We’re not allowing mission creep,” Hegseth said.

The Pentagon said 140 service members have been injured, eight of them with serious injuries. Seven US troops have been killed since the fighting began.

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