Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) warned Sunday that President Donald Trump’s ongoing war with Iran could easily spiral into a prolonged conflict, despite assurances from the White House that it will not.
Appearing on NBC’s Meet the Press with Kristen Welker, Kelly pointed to conflicting messages from the administration. Trump has suggested operations could last at least a week, while Vice President JD Vance has insisted there is “no chance” of a drawn-out war.
“Absolutely it could be prolonged,” Kelly said, questioning how both statements can be true at once. He called for Congress to reconvene in Washington immediately to demand clarity from the White House and to vote on a War Powers resolution.
Kelly, a former Navy combat pilot, said the administration appears to have launched the operation without articulating what comes next. He raised concerns about possible Iranian retaliation, including the prospect of shutting down the Strait of Hormuz—a move that could endanger U.S. service members and trigger severe global economic disruption. Such contingencies, he argued, require detailed planning, not improvised responses.
When asked by Welker on whether he would vote to authorize continued military action, Kelly stopped short of committing. He said he would need to hear a coherent strategy from the administration but acknowledged it is “rather unlikely” he would support authorization based on what he has seen so far. He also questioned why the president did not use his recent State of the Union address to lay out a case to the American people before launching strikes.
Kelly On Hegseth: ‘He’s The Least Qualified Secretary Of Defense We’ve Ever Had In Our Country’s History’
The interview also turned to escalating tensions between Kelly and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Hegseth has made it a personal vendatta to punish Kelly and sought to downgrade his military standing after the senator along with Democratic colleagues released a video reminding service members that they are obligated to refuse unlawful orders. A federal judge blocked the move, but Hegseth responded by appealing the order.
Kelly, who has repeatedly criticized Hegseth’s qualifications, said he has little confidence in the secretary’s leadership during a time of war. He reiterated his view that Hegseth is the least qualified defense secretary in modern U.S. history and expressed concern about his stewardship of the conflict.
Still, Kelly acknowledged that Hegseth remains in the role unless the president removes him.
For Kelly, the broader issue is accountability. In his view, launching a military campaign without congressional consultation, without a clearly defined end state, and amid internal friction at the Pentagon raises serious questions about strategy and oversight. Whether Congress asserts its authority in the coming days may determine not only the scope of the conflict abroad but also the balance of power at home.
