Iran Conflict Pressures US Preparedness Against China, Warns Ro Khanna

Washington, March 18: American lawmakers have issued warnings that the Iran conflict is undermining the United States’ strategic position. Senior Democratic leaders have expressed concerns that essential resources are being diverted to distant locations, impacting the ability to confront major threats from China and others.

Ranking member of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, Ro Khanna, stated that President Donald Trump’s actions could weaken America’s deterrent capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.

Khanna remarked, “President Trump’s reckless war in Iran is jeopardizing America’s security and economy. The focus should be on addressing the growing challenges to maintain peace and stability in the Pacific region.”

He emphasized that the administration is weakening U.S. armed forces due to unnecessary interventions in the Middle East. Khanna also highlighted the financial and economic pressures stemming from the conflict.

“This war is costing taxpayers nearly $1 billion daily and depleting critical ammunition. Such expenses are not temporary, and Americans are already feeling the impact of rising gas prices and economic uncertainty,” he noted.

Criticizing the administration’s approach to engaging with Beijing, Khanna warned that it could harm alliances.

“Now the president is asking China to send warships to end a conflict he cannot resolve himself. This is a dangerous move that could weaken alliances, which are the backbone of our deterrent capabilities,” Khanna stated.

In a separate hearing by the House Armed Services Subcommittee, Representative Seth Moulton presented a stern assessment of the broader security threats arising from this conflict.

Moulton asserted, “We cannot ignore the fact that as we sit here today, America is at greater risk, whether in the Middle East or at home.”

He argued that ongoing military operations are depleting resources and emboldening adversaries.

“Fourteen months into his presidency, the ‘peace president’ has attacked seven countries, depleting rare ammunition through these chosen conflicts and encouraging both China and Russia,” Moulton said.

He also pointed to growing concerns about economic impacts, stating, “Due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the spike in oil prices, Trump is effectively losing the war,” adding that the costs are being borne by brave young American soldiers and innocent civilians.

The lawmakers warned that America’s strategic focus is drifting away from significant long-term threats.

“It’s easy to lose sight of strategic defense with everything going wrong in the Middle East, but it is the foundation of our national security and must remain a top priority,” Moulton emphasized.

He highlighted rising concerns about China’s military capabilities.

“The Chinese Communist Party’s ICBM fleet is surpassing U.S. intelligence estimates, and they have deployed several hypersonic weapons capable of carrying nuclear warheads,” Moulton noted.

He also pointed out threats from Russia, warning that Moscow has developed a treaty-violating, space-based nuclear weapon that could destroy all satellites on which we rely daily for GPS and communication.

Both lawmakers stressed that ongoing engagement in the Middle East could weaken America’s readiness to confront global threats, particularly in Asia, where competition with China is intensifying.

These statements come at a time when the Iran conflict is dominating U.S. foreign policy, raising concerns in Washington about resource overextension and strategic diversion.