Rand Paul on Iran: Bombing may have the opposite effect

Sen. Rand Paul said the U.S. should wish Iranian protesters well and warned that bombing Iran could have the opposite effect; he also noted the Senate advanced War Powers legislation to require congressional approval for strikes.

Sen. Rand Paul discussed recent protests in Iran and U.S. comments about possible military action on ABC's This Week. He said the United States should wish protesters well and expressed concern that bombing Iran could strengthen domestic support for the government. Paul framed the issue as part of a broader constitutional debate over who may authorize military force. The Senate recently advanced War Powers legislation he co-sponsored that would require the president to seek congressional approval for strikes. Key points: - Sen. Rand Paul said bombing Iran can backfire and may cause people to rally around their government rather than weaken it. - He said the U.S. should wish protesters success and indicated support for recognizing governments that allow free elections. - ABC's Martha Raddatz reported that the president expressed support for protesters and spoke of hitting Iran "where it hurts." - The Senate narrowly advanced War Powers legislation co-sponsored by Paul to require presidential congressional approval for military strikes; its final outcome and any presidential response are undetermined at this time. Summary: Paul warned that military strikes risk consolidating support for Iran's rulers and emphasized wishing protesters well while highlighting Congress's constitutional role over declarations of war. The War Powers measure has moved forward in the Senate, but whether it will finally pass and how the president will respond remains undetermined at this time.