The congressional representatives from Virginia have differing opinions on President Donald Trump’s actions targeting vital nuclear sites in Iran.

“The world’s a safer place,” Republican Congressman John McGuire (VA-05) told 8News. 

Democratic Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan expressed to 8News her concerns, stating, “Starting a war in the Middle East can be straightforward, but, as history has shown us, exiting such conflicts tends to be very challenging.”

McGuire said that Trump made the right decision to strike and make it harder for Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon. 

McGuire pointed out the serious threat posed by Iran, remarking, “Iran is known for supporting terrorism and often chants threats against America. They have been responsible for the deaths of 1,000 American civilians and military personnel, making them a significant danger.”

However, McClellan said while she agrees that Iran should not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, she questions the timing of the strike. 

“I would argue that based on what the Israelis have said about the success of their strikes, I don’t know that Iran was capable of being an imminent threat when the President launched those attacks,” McClellan said.

McClellan added that U.S. involvement could escalate tensions, potentially putting Americans at risk at home and abroad.

“They told the President before he acted, they would retaliate. They said they would activate sleeper cells,” McClellan told 8News. 

Just about an hour after our interview with McClellan, we learned that Iran launched an attack on American forces in Qatar. 

Meanwhile, McGuire, a former Navy SEAL, said while he shares McClellan’s concerns, the chance to ensure Iran can’t develop a nuclear weapon was a risk worth taking. 

“The world is a dangerous place, and one thing I learned in the military is there’s a bully on every corner, and if you don’t stand up to them, it just gets worse,” McGuire said.