Washington (September 23, 2019) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement in response to the announcement that President Donald Trump has approved the deployment of additional American troops to Saudi Arabia in response to an attack on Saudi oil facilities it blames on Iran.

“President Trump abandoned a functioning Iran deal, is in negotiations to sell Saudi Arabia dangerous nuclear technologies, refused to hold Mohammed bin Salman accountable for the heinous murder of Jamal Khashoggi, and vetoed Congressional attempts to limit U.S. support for the disastrous, immoral military campaign in Yemen,” said Senator Markey. “Now, he is deploying more U.S. troops to the Middle East, risking unnecessary conflict. We are in this situation because President Trump believes America must defend Saudi oil interests, inviting escalation and putting American servicemembers in harm’s way.

“We must end U.S. imports of Middle Eastern oil and overturn the mistaken and dangerous belief that allying ourselves with Saudi Arabia will promote American interests and values. We must not become involved in another Middle Eastern war for oil.” 

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