Dem Rep. Dean Denies 47-Year Conflict with Iran

A Pennsylvania Democrat has dismissed claims of a decades-long conflict between the United States and Iran, instead placing blame for current tensions squarely on President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Congresswoman Madeleine Dean spoke to CNN on Monday, where she criticized what she called the Republican narrative surrounding U.S.-Iran relations, according to Breitbart News.

The Pennsylvania lawmaker rejected assertions from some Republicans that America has been engaged in a 47-year conflict with the Islamic Republic. Dean characterized such statements as what utter nonsense, arguing instead that the current crisis represents a more recent and avoidable escalation.

Dean specifically accused President Trump of pursuing military action that served Netanyahu’s interests rather than American priorities. She suggested that Trump has become trapped by his own decisions regarding Iran.

The Democratic representative told Breitbart News that the situation is a very dangerous making and claimed Trump went into with Mr. Netanyahu’s ambitions at the forefront, not America’s.

Despite her criticism, Dean expressed cautious optimism about potential diplomatic progress. She stated she was hopeful about prospects for a peace agreement that would restore the previous status quo of containing Iran’s nuclear program through strategic measures.

Dean outlined her goals for any negotiated settlement, including opening the Strait of Hormuz, ending military conflict, ensuring the safe return of American forces, and preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

The congresswoman also acknowledged that Trump was working negotiations from the White House but suggested the president was struggling to find an exit strategy from the Iranian crisis.

With information from Breitbart News