KIRO NEWSRADIO OPINION

KIRO hosts spar over U.S. entering conflict with Iran: ‘Was this in our best interest?’

Jun 23, 2025, 2:14 PM | Updated: 2:24 pm

Iran launched a missile attack at a U.S. military base in Qatar Monday in retaliation for the American bombing of the country’s nuclear sites, The Associated Press (AP) reported. Iran said the attack on Qatar matched the number of bombs dropped by the U.S. Iran also said it targeted the base because it was away from more populated areas, the media outlet stated.

While Qatar successfully intercepted the missiles, KIRO fill-in host Angela Poe Russell questioned if American involvement was necessary in the first place.

“Was this in our best interest at this time?” Angela said on “The Gee and Ursula Show.”

“How do you feel?” KIRO host Ursula Reutin asked.

“I question it because of the timing,” Angela responded. “I understand when you’re in leadership at this level, sometimes you have to make those last-minute decisions, and in this case—because typically, we want congressional weigh-in, approval—and so when you don’t do those things, you need a justification. You need to have a reason, you need to have evidence. I feel like Israel jumped in before the U.S. was ready.”

Angela recapped the promises Trump made before he got elected, calling it “a cluster.”

“You said ‘I’m the negotiator. I’m the deal maker, and I’m going to end Russia and Ukraine.’ Hasn’t happened. ‘I’m going to get a deal with Israel and Gaza.’ Hasn’t happened. ‘I’m not going to start wars,’ and now we’re kind of in the middle of a conflict,” she said.

Could conflict with Iran work in America’s favor?

However, Ursula suggested the strikes on Iran might still work in America’s favor.

“I think everyone can agree that we want Iran not to have nuclear weapons, and if he’s able to achieve that without any serious casualties, then would that be deemed a success?” she asked.

Ursula added that while she’s not a big supporter of the Trump administration, she’s trying to be objective.

“If it forces Iran to get back to the table and maybe closer to where we were when we had that agreement under President Obama—wouldn’t the world be safer if we didn’t have to worry about Iran?” she said.

Although Ursula is hopeful for an endgame that does not involve getting further into the war.

“I mean, I hope truly that Iran does want to get to the path of diplomacy,” she said.

Angela noted that, at the end of the day, all Americans are impacted by the government’s decisions.

“We’re in it together,” she said.

Listen to the full conversation below.

Follow Julia Dallas on X. Read her stories here. Submit news tips here.

Listen to Gee and Ursula on “The Gee and Ursula Show” weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on KIRO Newsradio. 

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KIRO hosts spar over U.S. entering conflict with Iran: ‘Was this in our best interest?’