Democratic Response To Iran Crisis: What Ilhan Omar Said About Trump's Address To The Nation

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., took to Twitter on Wednesday to express her disapproval of President Trump’s decision to ratchet up sanctions on Iran, saying they are not a “measured response” to Iranian aggression.

“This makes no sense. Sanctions are economic warfare. They have already caused medical shortages and countless deaths in Iran,” she posted. ”You cannot claim to want deescalation and then announce new sanctions with no clear goal. This is not a measured response!”

The comments come after Omar tweeted on Thursday: "So what if Trump wants war, knows this leads to war and needs the distraction? Real question is, will those with congressional authority step in and stop him? I know I will."

Omar has been a frequent critic of Trump’s Middle East policy and previously lambasted Trump’s decision to levy sanctions on Turkey.

In March, Trump called Omar and Democrats "anti-Israel" and "anti-Jewish" in public comments. "Oh, I forgot. [Omar] doesn't like Israel," Trump sarcastically said in April at a Republican Jewish Coalition event. "I forgot. I'm so sorry."

Trump's comment came within a day after a man was arrested for threats to assassinate Omar.

In his address Wednesday, President Trump said that Iran appears to be “standing down” from a continued assault and added that his administration would impose further economic sanctions on Iran.

"As we continue to evaluate options and response to Iranian aggression, the United States will immediately impose additional punishing economic sanctions on the Iranian regime," Trump said, adding that the sanctions would continue until the Iranian government changes its behavior.

Iran and the U.S. have been in a standoff since last week, after the U.S. killed Iranian military commander Qassim Soleimani in an airstrike at Baghdad International Airport. The Trump administration has said the assassination was necessary because Soleimani was behind an “imminent attack” on U.S. personnel or assets. Some Democrats have criticized the timing and legality of the strike.

On Thursday, House Democrats are slated to take up legislation to restrict President Trump’s military options when it comes to Iran. The legislation is sponsored by Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich.

Iran-U.S. relations have been strained under the Trump administration, with Trump pulling out of a nuclear deal with Iran in May 2018. In 2019, Iran had downed an unmanned American drone and was possibly behind an attack on Saudi oil fields.