washington – Maryland Governor Wes Moore fears that the United States has “entered yet another eternal war” at the expense of the American people – however without a clear statement from President Trump about what success military action against Iran it looks like.
In an interview with CBS News’ Ed O’Keefe on Friday, Moore, a Democrat, compared the ongoing war with Iran to the war in Afghanistan, where the governor served as a member of the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division.
“I feel like we’re getting into one of these perpetual wars that we’re asking the American people to pay for… but the president of the United States and the commander in chief haven’t said exactly what we’re doing,” he said.
Moore said that although Mr. Trump often praises the military success of Operation Epic Fury, the name given to the military campaign in Iran, he fails to acknowledge “the reality of the long road ahead.” The president, he added, has not been clear about what the US is doing in Iran or what success looks like.
The war in Afghanistan lasted almost 20 years, and the US operation against Iran is in its fifth week. US officials confirmed to CBS News that the US F-15E fighter jet was the one brought down upon Iran on Friday, one crew member was rescued. A military aircraft is flying a two-man aircraft and search and rescue operations are underway, sources said. US officials told CBS News that the plane was shot down by Iranian forces.
The downing of the plane comes after the commander of the US Central Command, Adm. Brad Cooker on Thursday said the military is “undeniably improving” in Iran. Mr. Trump said during the first speech told the nation on Wednesday that the US would complete its mission “soon,” and predicted that Iran would be hit “hard” in the next two to three weeks.
Citing the destruction of Iran’s navy and its destroyed missile and drone capabilities, the president said in his speech that “strategic goals are about to be finalized.” Other objectives set by Mr. Trump and senior members of his administration include destroying Iran’s defense industrial base, preventing Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, and protecting its allies in the Middle East, including Israel, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
From military operations from the US and Israel started on February 28at least 16 MQ-9 Reaper drones are also missing from Iran, CBS News reported earlier this week. Three American F-15 fighter jets were present shot in Kuwait in a “friendly fire incident,” but all crew members were safe. Thirteen American service members since the war started.
Asked about the expectations of Mr. Trump said the war would be over in two to three weeks, Moore said the timeline “doesn’t sit well with me.”
“I think of the families of our employees, who are now afraid to pick up the phone because they are afraid to hear what is being said,” he said.
Moore said he is praying for the families of the downed F-15 pilots, and for “some clarity from the White House.”
Watch more of O’Keefe’s interview with Moore on Sunday’s “Face the Nation.”
