Bulwark Takes Trump’s Iran War Is Getting More Dangerous, Not Less (w/ Sen. Chris Coons)
Apr 11, 2026
Sen. Chris Coons, a Delaware senator focused on foreign policy and bipartisanship, warns the Iran conflict is more dangerous after 42 days. He questions clear objectives, congressional authorization and war funding. He also discusses strains with NATO allies, U.S.-Israel relations, State Department capacity, and political fights over Justice Department leadership.
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War Lacks Clear Goals And Has High Costs
- The 42-day war in Iran has cost over $50 billion and produced unclear strategic gains for the U.S. military.
- Chris Coons warns we’ve lost 13 service members, depleted munitions, and still lack defined goals like regime change or uranium accounting.
Sanctions Relief May Be Part Of A Negotiated Off-Ramp
- Some sanctions can be waived by the administration, while others legally require congressional action.
- Coons expects a negotiated deal may trade sanctions relief for IAEA inspections, downblending enriched uranium, and missile/proxy constraints.
Avoid Backdoor Authorization Through Supplementals
- Congress should resist funding supplements that could be construed as implicit authorization for the war.
- Coons says Democrats will demand accounting for prior Pentagon funds before approving munitions replenishment.