Republican Senator Tom Cotton was on “This Week” on ABC with host Jon Karl to discuss the potential of Iran to retaliate against the US and its interests.
“What should we be prepared for in terms of a response from Iran? As you said, they have sponsored terrorism for nearly half a century. What should we be prepared for?” Karl asked.
“I think we have to be prepared for Iran to retaliate, and I join the President in his warning to the supreme leader of Iran that if he targets Americans, the military force he will see will make last night look like child’s play,” Cotton warned.
“Iran has targeted Americans around the world,” Cotton said.
“For all we know, they may have gotten sleeper cells into the country during Joe Biden’s wide-open border,” Cotton explained.
“President Trump has no higher priority as do I, for the safety of the American People,” Cotton said.
“They have a chance to pursue peace here, to dismantle whatever remnants of their nuclear program remain and to continue to actually survive because we haven’t targeted the supreme leader, we haven’t targeted their energy infrastructure, we haven’t targeted other critical infrastructure. That’s an implicit message that Iran still has things that they hold dear that neither the United States nor Israel has struck,” Cotton explained.
“Iran needs to heed President Trump’s warning,” Cotton continued.
Watch:
Sen. Tom Cotton said the U.S. must “be prepared for Iran to retaliate” after strikes on nuclear facilities.
“We have troops in the region. Iran has targeted Americans around the world … They’ve targeted embassies of countries around the world.” https://t.co/5kRA4KW6Sr pic.twitter.com/a4GoWKY17r
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) June 22, 2025
“If Iran retaliates, should the United States target the supreme leader?” Karl asked.
“I won’t rule any single target in or out, but I’ll say that President Trump was very clear in his warning last night to Iran,” Cotton said.
“Clearly, President Trump means business. The Ayatollahs understand that now. He was not bluffing. He does not bluff, and there are still numerous targets that Iran holds very dear. They should not target Americans,” Cotton said.
Watch:
“Our message to the supreme leader is: look at the lessons of history. Do not — do not tempt fate. Do not target Americans. Heed Donald Trump’s warning,” Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Tom Cotton told @JonKarl after U.S. strikes on nuclear sites. https://t.co/F7DJPeZFSD pic.twitter.com/jkTlaaIXPb
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) June 22, 2025
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