NPR’s Scott Simon interviewed Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, about the month-long conflict with Iran and its domestic political fallout.
Simon began by noting the violence shows no sign of ending: additional U.S. forces are deploying while President Trump has set an ultimatum for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by April 6 or face strikes on its power infrastructure. The president has also suggested talks are underway, though Iranian officials deny negotiations.
Before turning fully to Iran, Smith addressed the 40-day partial government shutdown. He framed the dispute around immigration enforcement and the role of ICE. Democrats want reforms they say will curb unlawful or overly aggressive ICE actions, even as they recognize the Department of Homeland Security includes other critical agencies—TSA, the Coast Guard, FEMA—that need funding. Smith said Democrats repeatedly offered to fund those other DHS components while discussions about ICE continued, and that the Senate supported such an approach. He blamed House Speaker Mike Johnson for refusing to bring a funding measure to the floor, saying the speaker deferred to President Trump; Smith believes a vote would have passed with near-unanimous support and prevented the lapse.
On the Iran war, Simon asked whether Smith would support eliminating Iran’s missile forces. Smith replied that while he would prefer Iran not possess ballistic missile capability, the practical and strategic realities complicate any attempt to eradicate it by force. He warned that a military campaign to destroy those systems would be extraordinarily expensive, could provoke a wider regional war, and would likely disrupt global oil markets. Smith noted it would be very difficult—perhaps impossible—to eliminate Iran’s entire arsenal; even optimistic assessments suggest only a portion could be reliably destroyed, leaving remaining missiles and drone forces still able to threaten U.S. interests and allies.
Smith also cautioned that continued U.S. military action risks broad escalation. He pointed to the widening conflict, with groups such as the Houthis becoming involved and launching strikes that have reached Israel, as evidence the situation can spread beyond a single bilateral fight.
Asked how to end the fighting, Smith advocated first stopping the shooting and establishing a ceasefire, then moving to negotiations. He argued that further military strikes are not achieving clear objectives and are increasing regional and global costs.
The interview closed with mutual thanks: Simon thanked Rep. Smith for speaking, and Smith expressed appreciation for the chance to discuss the issues.