Senate Democrats Question Pentagon Preparedness After Iranian Retaliation Claims
In a letter addressed to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Senators Mark Kelly, Elizabeth Warren, Richard Blumenthal, and Kirsten Gillibrand accused the Defense Department of failing to take sufficient precautionary measures to protect US personnel stationed in the region.
The lawmakers argued that the Pentagon did not adequately prepare for foreseeable retaliatory attacks, including drone and missile strikes, after the escalation of hostilities. They claimed this reflected broader shortcomings in planning for the safety of deployed service members.
The letter referenced a reported drone strike in the region following earlier military operations, which lawmakers said resulted in US casualties and injuries among personnel. They described the incident as part of a wider pattern of vulnerability to retaliation in the region.
The senators emphasized that protecting US military personnel should be a central priority for defense leadership and called for stronger contingency planning in the context of large-scale military operations and potential escalation scenarios.
They also submitted a series of detailed questions to the Defense Department, requesting clarification on risk assessment procedures, operational planning, and internal communication protocols before and during the military campaign.
Among their inquiries, the lawmakers asked which officials were responsible for evaluating threats to US positions abroad and how decisions were made regarding the evacuation or protection of non-combat personnel in the region.
The Defense Department has been asked to respond within a specified timeframe, as congressional scrutiny continues over the handling of military operations and force protection measures in the aftermath of recent conflict developments.
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