Utah leaders react to US-Israeli strikes on Iran

SALT LAKE CITY — Reactions are starting to come in to the news that the United States and Israel launched an attack on Iran on Saturday, and President Donald Trump said Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed in the operation.

It was the second intervention by the U.S. in the Middle East in less than a year after it bombed Iran's nuclear sites in June.

Reuters additionally reported that Trump has reiterated ⁠calls for Iranians to topple the government but warned, "The heavy and pinpoint bombing, however, will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long ​as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD!"

In a post on the social platform X, Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, said in part that Trump was taking "planned, targeted action to protect the American people."

For decades, Iran's regime has acted as a destabilizing force—arming terrorist proxies, mass slaughtering its own people, and pursuing nuclear capabilities with explicit intent to destroy Israel and America. They have targeted and killed Americans abroad and are actively…

— Senator John Curtis (@SenJohnCurtis) February 28, 2026

"Peace is preserved through strength and resolve," he added. "I look forward to robust engagement between the Administration and Congress as this situation unfolds. May God bless and protect our troops."

The Utah Democratic Party, in a statement, condemned the strike, saying it "endangers U.S. troops, bypasses Congress, and siphons resources from American families while risking a costly new 'forever war.'"

"Every dollar spent on another foreign war is a dollar taken from the schools, hospitals, and paychecks of working families here at home," Party Chair Brian King said.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued its own statement on the strikes, expressing "profound concern and heartfelt compassion for all those living in harm's way."

"We are in regular contact with church leaders responsible for the students, faculty and humanitarian service volunteers serving throughout the Middle East, all of whom are accounted for and safe at this time."

This story may be updated.

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