Marshall Mecham
Artesia Daily Press
marshallmecham21@gmail.com

U.S. President Donald Trump announced the bombing of three Iranian nuclear sites on Saturday, June 21. Trump also announced the Iran-Israel ceasefire on Monday, June 23. Since then, tensions mounted in the Middle East as Israel and Iran were both accused of violating the ceasefire, launching missiles at one another despite U.S. calls for an end to the confrontation.

On Sunday, Trump called for an end to the war, attempting to renegotiate another ceasefire, while Israeli military ordered Palestinians to evacuate areas in northern Gaza before intensified fighting against Hamas.

Throughout the military escalation, Artesia residents shared mixed reactions to the fighting and U.S.’ role in the international conflict.

Here’s what some Artesia residents said about the situation in the days after the attacks, and which political party they identify with.

Dean Howard, 65, Artesia, Republican Party

“I think President Trump is right about bombing the nuclear sites. He was right to bomb Iran because those people are not our friends, they’re our enemy. We need to pray for all nations’ concerns. This is a world effort because it causes distrust. We got to make our voice heard, and we’ve got to step out and vote. I’m not against the protest; I’m against the rioting and the violence but we have to make our voices heard.”

Scott Taylor, 59, Artesia, Republican Party

“I have to commend Trump for doing it. I didn’t think he would do it because of all the downside risks. This was the best possible outcome that anybody could hope for. I was very happy about the ceasefire. I knew if Israel agreed to a ceasefire, that they were convinced that Iran’s nuclear capability was destroyed because that was the whole reason they attacked them.”

Artesia resident Wally Pando, 19, Artesia, Democratic Party

“I think the bombings, and just the wars in general, are completely unnecessary. Our president has failed, and really, flat-out lied when he stated there would be ‘no new wars’ yet goes ahead and bombs nations like Iran, who are repressed through the presidents’ call, over these imaginary nukes.

“I am not for a world where the only way to achieve peace is to bully other nations by wiping them out with bombs. The ceasefire for a conflict that he himself created and resulting in Trump getting a Nobel Peace Prize is outrageous. Conflict does not need to end with the loss of innocent lives and destruction of land. It should end with peaceful negotiations.”

Reuters contributed to this report.