Senator Tom Cotton didn’t mince words following President Trump’s devastating strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities. The Arkansas Republican issued a direct warning to Tehran: there’s still time to sue for peace—but that window is closing fast.
“Iran has a chance to sue for peace, dismantle its nuclear program, and continue to actually survive,” Cotton said. “But if they escalate or retaliate, what they’ll face next will make last night look like child’s play.”
The warning comes after Operation Midnight Hammer, a precision strike that crippled several of Iran’s top nuclear sites while deliberately avoiding certain targets. Cotton made clear that the United States could have gone much further—but didn’t.
“We didn’t hit everything. The Ayatollah is still breathing. The lights are still on in Tehran. That was intentional. But if Iran makes the wrong move, all of that can change.”
Cotton, who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, outlined two non-negotiable demands for Iran:
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Dismantle its nuclear weapons program completely.
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Pursue a path of peace instead of aggression.
He warned that if Iran targets Americans or continues to support terrorism, the United States would respond with overwhelming force.
For decades, Iran has bankrolled terrorism, targeted American troops, and plotted attacks on U.S. soil. Now, thanks to President Trump’s leadership, the regime is on its heels—and leaders like Cotton are making it clear: the next strike won’t be a warning shot.