Skip to main content

Shapiro: “People of Pennsylvania are safe” in wake of U.S. strikes on Iran

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

LONG POND — In the wake of U.S. strikes on three Iran nuclear and military sites Saturday, Gov. Josh Shapiro said Sunday that state officials have been in contact to ensure “there is no threat” to the people of Pennsylvania.

“Our security team, our state police, Homeland Security and others — we’ve been in dialogue with one another to make sure that there’s no threat to the Commonwealth as a result of what happened overseas. There is no threat,” Shapiro said. “The people of Pennsylvania are safe. We’re going to remain vigilant in our work here to keep the people of Pennsylvania safe.”

Shapiro addressed Saturday’s strikes while he and state Lt. Gov. Austin Davis were at Pocono Raceway ahead of Sunday’s Great American Getaway 400 Presented by VISITPA.com NASCAR Cup race.

While admitting foreign policy isn’t part of his job description as governor, Shapiro said, “I think what is most important right now is that we not have any escalation beyond what occurred last night. I don’t think any of us want to get dragged into another long war in the Middle East. I think it is important that we are vigilant about that. Obviously, the Trump administration holds a responsibility for what comes next in ensuring our American troops and our personnel in the region are safe.”

Shapiro said Iran’s nuclear program was “obviously very dangerous. The idea that Iran, the world’s largest sponsor of terror, would have a nuclear weapon would not only destabilize the Middle East, but it would create risk for American interest at home and abroad. And so it is good if Iran does not possess a nuclear weapon.”

The governor said there needs to be accountability for the strikes moving forward.

“I think it is important now that there be some accounting for questions that I think a lot of people have, whether more diplomacy could have accomplished that,” Shapiro said. “And I think it’s also important that we have a full accounting for what actually happened last night. I want to hear from military leaders about whether or not this mission was successful.”

Shapiro said he wanted to thank the American troops, including those from Pennsylvania, who were involved in the strikes’ planning and execution.

Senators back American action

Pennsylvania’s U.S. senators both expressed support for President Donald Trump’s action against Iran.

Democratic Sen. John Fetterman shared Trump’s announcement of the strikes from Truth Social on his X account.

“As l’ve maintained, this was the correct move by @POTUS,” Fetterman wrote. “Iran is the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism and cannot have nuclear capabilities. I’m grateful for and salute the finest military in the world.”

Republican Sen. Dave McCormick, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism, issued the following statement:

“As I have said all along, Iran must not have a nuclear weapon. This targeted attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities is the result of the Iranian regime’s failure to make a deal despite months of President Trump’s good faith efforts to negotiate.

“I applaud President Trump’s strong leadership and his continued commitment to peace through strength. Once again, America’s detractors around the world should know President Trump means what he says.

“And I am so grateful for America’s brave warriors, who appear to have achieved their mission successfully and are returning home safely. I look forward to being briefed along with my Senate colleagues on this action.

“This is an important step toward ensuring that the world’s largest state sponsor of terror never obtains a nuclear weapon.”