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With Iran vowing to avenge the death of Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, two congressmen serving Central and Western Massachusetts asked Friday for President Donald J. Trump to explain his overall strategy — and how his administration will defuse tensions.

“There is no question that Qassem Soleimani was a ruthless military commander who had American blood on his hands. But this is a serious and destabilizing escalation that could lead to war,” wrote Rep. James P. McGovern, D-Worcester, chairman of the House Rules Committee and co-chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission. “Republicans and Democrats alike do not want war with Iran. The American people do not want war with Iran. We are sick and tired of endless wars.”

Calling the strike “reckless" and “clearly without a lot of thought,” McGovern said, ”We have heard nothing so far from this administration about how they plan to deescalate this dangerous situation and prevent this from spiraling into an ever-escalating series of retaliatory actions that would almost certainly put American troops and innocent civilians in harm’s way."

“This is a dangerous moment for the United States and the World," he said. "Yet the White House hasn’t explained their strategy or told anyone what happens next. Americans deserve better than that.”

House Ways & Means Chairman Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, sounded a similar note of caution:

“Last night’s deadly airstrikes in Iraq that targeted high-level Iranian military officials and killed Iran’s top security and intelligence commander ... was done without an Authorization for Use of Military Force against Iran or the consultation of Congress. That is simply unacceptable.

“Because of this, we are at a dangerous crossroads. The full Congress must be briefed immediately before any other action is taken or any additional troops enter the region. While our highest priority is to protect American lives, we cannot do it at the expense of our service members or those representing us overseas.”