Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) said Sunday that “the only purpose that I could see” for U.S. troops on the ground in Iran “would be to get the enriched uranium.”

“I think the question, moving forward, with respect to any troops on the ground, would be: For what purpose? And I think the only purpose that I could see would be to get the enriched uranium,” Lawler told NBC News’s Kristen Welker on “Meet the Press.”

“And I think that is something that does need to be discussed with Congress in a classified setting,” he continued. “And I think Congress would need to be briefed on that particular matter.”

President Trump has mulled the deployment of U.S. troops inside Iran to seize the country’s highly enriched uranium, an operation that could last for days. The operation would put U.S. personnel deep inside Iran, leaving them vulnerable to Iranian short-range missiles and drones.

Since the U.S. and Israeli strikes in Iran began in late February, recent polling has shown widespread discontent with the conflict and any possible escalation.

On Sunday morning, Trump railed against Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route. The president threatened to strike the country’s infrastructure and pressed Tehran to “open the F—in’ Strait, you crazy bastards.”

“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F—in’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.

The day before, Trump threatened to rain “all hell” down on Iran as the U.S. headed toward a self-imposed deadline on Monday for the Middle Eastern country to reopen the strait.

A central point of contention in Washington regarding the war, largely around party lines, is whether Trump must seek congressional approval to continue military operations in Iran.

Some Republicans in recent days, however, have indicated they would back a war powers resolution when the conflict hits Day 60, which Lawler backed Sunday.

“As this moves forward, if it goes beyond the 60 to 90 day window, then yes, Congress will need to take necessary action,” he told Welker. “And I would support that.”

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