Rep. Smith on the Need for Negotiated Settlement in Iran

October 19, 2026 Press Release “President Trump’s decision to launch an unnecessary war of choice with Iran has been disastrous. The war has resulted in the deaths of at least 19 service members and more than 800 wounded, over $40 billion in taxpayer dollars spent, thousands of civilians killed and injured, spiking gas prices, rising costs for everyday American families, and further regional instability. "The administration has not accomplished its strategic objectives after over seven months of war. The President is in denial and continues to insist on prosecuting this war despite a lack of evidence and coherent strategy for how the war can achieve its aims. It is far past time for President Trump to wake up to reality and evaluate the real options on the table that will best serve the interests of the American people and our regional partners. "It should be obvious by now that the only logical end to this war is a negotiated settlement achieved through diplomatic engagement by skilled negotiators, similar to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action President Trump destroyed, before it continues to spiral even more out of control. We need actual diplomats working to achieve actual peace." ### Issues : International Leadership and Foreign Affairs