Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker is among Mississippi Republicans lauding President Donald Trump’s decision to launch a joint attack with Israel on Iran on Saturday as the president is urging the Iranian public to “seize control of your destiny” and rise up against the Islamic leadership that has ruled the nation since 1979.
“Today, our commander-in-chief took decisive action against the threat posed by the world’s leading proliferator of terrorism, the Iranian regime,” Wicker said in a statement. “This is a pivotal and necessary operation to protect Americans and American interests. The President has stated the operation’s goals clearly: thwart permanently the ayatollahs’ desire to create a nuclear weapon, degrade their ballistic missile force and their production capacity, and destroy their naval and terrorism capabilities.”
Wicker, who has served in Congress for over two decades and has become one of the most powerful defense voices in Washington, added that the Iranian regime “has never been weaker,” and without military force, the regime would “continue to grow their ability to threaten Americans and our interests” working alongside China, Russia, and North Korea.
“These are the hardest decisions that face any American commander-in-chief, and I appreciate President Donald Trump and his team [conducting] a comprehensive strategy using all the tools of national power and a well-orchestrated military planning process,” Wicker continued.
Strikes hit multiple locations in Tehran, including areas near facilities associated with Iran’s top leadership. It was not immediately clear whether senior officials were present or harmed, though Iranian state media has reported dozens of civilian casualties.
Iran has retaliated against U.S. and Israeli targets across the Middle East with explosions reported in the UAE, Qatar, Dubai, and Bahrain, where a U.S. Navy base was struck by a missile, CNN reported.
Wicker, along with Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves and other Republican state officials, is commending U.S. troops for the mission.
“Most importantly, I commend the brave men and women of our armed forces, who continue to demonstrate a level of operational proficiency unrivaled the world over. That fact will be evident in the coming days. Thanks to them, Americans are safer – not just today, but for generations to come,” Wicker’s statement concluded.
“Praying for our troops who are putting themselves in harm’s way to keep us safe,” Reeves wrote on X.
On the other side of the aisle, Democrats in Congress are calling for the Trump administration to immediately provide a brief on the strikes, as some do not believe the president took the necessary steps to carry out such an attack. Mississippi’s lone Democratic member, Rep. Bennie Thompson, said Trump did not seek congressional authorization before ordering the strikes.
“Once again, President Trump has attacked Iran without Congressional approval or a clear strategy. As I’ve said before, we are more vulnerable to ensuing terrorism attacks today because of Trump’s reckless, inflammatory actions,” Thompson, who is the ranking member on the House Homeland Security Committee, said. “I am deeply concerned about the administration’s attention to possible threats and its ability to protect Americans.”
As the situation in Iran continues to unfold, here is how Mississippi officials are reacting.
U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker
Today, our commander-in-chief took decisive action against the threat posed by the world’s leading proliferator of terrorism, the Iranian regime. This is a pivotal and necessary operation to protect Americans and American interests. The President has stated the operation’s goals…
— Senator Roger Wicker (@SenatorWicker) February 28, 2026
U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith
President Trump is acting decisively to confront the Iranian regime, a leading state sponsor of global terrorism and a grave threat to the national security interests of the United States and our allies. The President is sending a clear message that we and our allies cannot…
— U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (@SenHydeSmith) February 28, 2026
U.S. Rep. Trent Kelly
— Trent Kelly (@RepTrentKelly) February 28, 2026
U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson
Again, President Trump has attacked Iran without Congressional approval or a clear strategy.
We are more vulnerable to ensuing terrorism attacks today because of his reckless actions.
I am very concerned about the admin’s attention to possible threats & keeping us safe.
— Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (@BennieGThompson) February 28, 2026
U.S. Rep. Michael Guest
— Congressman Michael Guest (@RepMichaelGuest) February 28, 2026
U.S. Rep. Mike Ezell
My full statement on the U.S. and Israel’s decisive action on the Iranian Regime: pic.twitter.com/yl5MYLXpz3
— Congressman Mike Ezell (@RepEzell) February 28, 2026
Gov. Tate Reeves
Praying for our troops who are putting themselves in harm’s way to keep us safe. 🇺🇸
— Governor Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) February 28, 2026
Attorney General Lynn Fitch
May God bless the men and women of our military. Americans across the country are praying for your safety as you carry out this operation. 🇺🇸 https://t.co/hlItRnMeOu
— Lynn Fitch (@LynnFitchAG) February 28, 2026
State Auditor Shad White
God bless America.
Join me in prayer for all our troops today.
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
— Shad White (@shadwhite) February 28, 2026
The Associated Press contributed to this report.