Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement, in response to the killing of General Qassim Soleimani, commander of Iran’s Quds Force:

“For all the talk the President makes about getting out of the Middle East, his actions continue to foreshadow even more involvement in the region, including the most recent airstrikes followed by a deployment of 3,500 more US personnel.

“The administration can try to make the argument there was some imminent threat that warranted the airstrikes, but it has shared no evidence with Congress, has ratcheted up tensions with Iran, and done so without any legal authority that I can find.

“In three years of this administration, Middle East policy has gone from having an international nuclear deal with Iran that had stopped Iran from developing nuclear weapons to now, what some call the brink of war.

“I have low expectations that this administration can satisfy Congress’ legitimate questions about the imminent threat it says precipitated US airstrikes, what its regional strategy is, or what legal authority it used; but, I expect answers nonetheless and call on the administration to get Defense officials to the Hill as soon as possible.”