“There are obviously consequences associated with all actions and careful planning is needed. In this case, we must prepare for retaliatory attacks and ensure U.S. citizens are safe. It is clear that the current administration is prone to act first and plan later. I pray they did a better job of preparing for contingencies in this scenario than they did with Syria.” 
 
Delaney continued, “When Trump recklessly chose to abandon the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) – which was negotiated by the US & many of our major allies + Russia and China – he took our country into an uncertain place with Iran, which is now where we unfortunately find ourselves. An unintended consequence of this escalation has been to alienate Iraq which should actually be one of our strongest allies in the region if the relationship is professionally managed. We should get back to the table and try to negotiate an improved JCPOA (with a longer term) and restore some stability to the region.”
 
Delaney had outlined his plan for clear goals in the Middle East during a speech at the Johns Hopkins School of Foreign Service in May last year, entitled "The Price of Greatness is Responsibility," also calling for the US to rejoin the Iran Nuclear Agreement but with “tougher terms on Iran.”