In the early morning of Saturday, Feb. 28, the U.S. in coordination with Israel initiated military strikes in Iran, attacks that President Donald Trump has said will stop Iran from getting nuclear weapons. Later that same day, North Dakota’s congressional representatives and Gov. Kelly Armstrong, all Republicans, issued statements in support of Trump’s actions while a Fox News poll indicated Americans were evenly divided on the conflict, and a statement from North Dakota’s Democratic-NPL communications director was sharply critical. The following day, U.S. forces suffered their first casualties when a drone strike hit a command center in Kuwait.
In Bismarck, Gov. Kelly Armstrong released the following statement on the joint U.S.-Israeli military strikes in Iran. “The Trump administration gave the Iranian regime every opportunity to agree to terms for their nuclear program. Instead, Ayatollah Khamenei’s terrorist regime used stall tactics while continuing to terrorize our ally Israel and Iran’s own people,” Armstrong said. “The administration’s decisive action to launch joint strikes with Israel will neutralize the regime’s nuclear threat and make the world safer. We thank our military members for defending our freedom with courage and precision, and we pray they remain safe throughout these operations. The Iranian people have been given an opportunity to choose their destiny. We hope they choose democracy over dictatorship.”
In Washington, U.S. Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.), a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, stated, “Iran is the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism and has been relentless in seeking nuclear capabilities. Despite the administration’s efforts to reach a diplomatic solution, the Iranian regime has refused to negotiate in good faith while murdering their own people. These strikes, in coordination with our ally Israel, will keep the regime from rebuilding its nuclear weapons program. We are grateful for our brave servicemembers for their skill and dedication and pray for their safety and success in keeping our nation secure and free.”
U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) commended the Trump administration’s actions. “This action has been a long time coming,” Cramer said. “This is a necessary action. This regime in Iran has repeatedly refused to come to the table to even discuss a nuclear deal. What they do is they use these evasive tactics. This endless rhetoric, just to stall while they rebuild their capabilities.”
“Iran is led by radical—not just radical, but extremely radical—Islamic terrorists,” Cramer added. “When America has the strength, the capability, and the responsibility, as well as the political will to act, we rise at the right moment. And that’s what’s happening right now.”
On X, formerly known as Twitter, U.S. Rep. Julie Fedorchak (R-N.D.) said, “I support President Trump’s decisive actions in response to Iran’s decades of relentless terrorist activity, its continued pursuit of nuclear weapons, and the grave threat it poses to the United States and our allies who seek freedom and peace.”
“We must stand firm against those who threaten our security and the safety of our allies,” she added. “Under this oppressive regime, neither the Iranian people nor the broader world can fully enjoy peace, stability, and prosperity.”
Also on Feb. 28, the North Dakota Republican Party posted on their Facebook page, “We pray that this conflict is handled expediently with minimal loss of life. We pray that the brave men and women who carry out this important mission are safe, along with those nations who choose to join in the fight. Lastly, we pray for the innocent people of Iran, who have suffered under the soon-to-be former regime’s reign of terror and death.”
Not everyone is as supportive. While a majority views Iran as a threat, according to a recent Fox News poll, Americans are evenly divided on military action in Iran, with most Republicans approving and Democrats and independents disapproving.
When reached for comment, Communications Director Laura Dronen for the North Dakota Democratic-NPL said on Wednesday, March 4, “Donald Trump has trampled on the Constitution and ignored the will of the American people by choosing to enter into a deadly and deeply unpopular war with Iran. How many American lives are Hoeven, Cramer, and Fedorchak willing to gamble with because Trump is literally starting a war to distract from his involvement in the Epstein files?”
“It’s easy to say ‘high-risk, high reward’ when you’re sitting cozy in a leather chair, in your air-conditioned office, and smirk because it isn’t you or your kid being put at risk at military bases in the Middle East,” Dronen added. “You won’t have to bury a kid because of your incompetence or capitulation, but can you honestly look a grieving mother in the eyes and not feel a deep sense of shame?”
On Sunday, March 1, six members of the Army Reserve, who worked in logistics and kept troops supplied with food and equipment, died when a drone hit a command center in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait.
The six soldiers identified by the Pentagon were: Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, 54, of Sacramento, Calif.; Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien, 45, of Indianola, Iowa; Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa,; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minn.; Capt. Cody Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Fla.; and Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Neb.
All were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command, which provides food, fuel, water and ammunition, transport equipment and supplies.
“Sadly, there will likely be more, before it ends. That’s the way it is,” President Donald Trump said of the deaths. Trump will attend the dignified transfers of the soldiers when they arrive in the U.S., the White House said Wednesday. The ritual honors service members killed in action.
The fighting intensified Monday, March 2 with attacks from Iran and Iranian-backed militias hitting Israel and Arab states. A senior Iranian official signaled that there would be no negotiations with the United States.
Hannah Fingerhut, Konstantin Toropin, Rebecca Boone, Foster Klug and Angela Charlton of the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Leave a Reply