Harrigan: Administration Must Decide Whether to Win Iran War or Withdraw

The U.S. military engagement with Iran remains unresolved as American voters head to the polls on Tuesday, October 27.

Rep. Pat Harrigan, a Republican from North Carolina, told Fox News Digital that the Trump administration faces a binary choice regarding the conflict. He argued that the current approach of doing enough to avoid defeat but not enough to secure victory is no longer acceptable.

Harrigan, a Green Beret veteran and business entrepreneur, expressed frustration that the war has not concluded. He stated that the administration needed to execute the campaign and wrap it up in a short period, a goal he said has not yet been met. "I share my constituents and many Americans' perspective that I'm very, very frustrated that this war is not over," he said.

The Representative emphasized that Iran cannot possess a nuclear weapon, making the conflict inevitable at some point. However, he placed responsibility on the party in power to manage the outcome quickly. "The party that's in power and the administration that decided to pull the trigger on it is responsible for the outcome, and they're responsible for the outcome in a very short period of time," Harrigan said.

He outlined two paths for the White House. The first involves doing whatever it takes to win decisively. The second involves accepting that three of the five strategic objectives have already been accomplished. Those objectives include preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and eliminating its missile and drone production. In that scenario, the U.S. would monitor the nuclear program and conduct periodic strikes before withdrawing.

Harrigan advised that President Trump should involve Congress if he chooses to renew military action. He noted that Congress controls funding, which is essential for strategic interests. "Congress and the White House need to be very closely involved in making the next set of decisions that exist for this conflict," he said.

Vice President JD Vance told a Fox News town hall on Thursday that he promises Donald Trump is not going to let Iran become a forever war. Official and military sources told Fox News this week that movements are being made in the Middle East to give the president options if he decides to resume strikes.

Harrigan is running for re-election in North Carolina's 10th Congressional District. He faces Democrat challenger Ashley Bell, a physician associate, and Libertarian candidate Steve Feldman. Harrigan said the Republican Party's House majority is at stake, noting that whoever holds 218 votes will chart the direction of the House.