US Democratic Senator Chris Murphy said Sunday that President Donald Trump has “lost this war” with Iran, arguing that continued fighting is weakening the United States while strengthening Tehran.

Speaking to NBC, Murphy said the ongoing conflict was increasingly damaging US interests and urged Washington to bring the fighting to an end.

“America is weaker. Iran is stronger,” Murphy said, adding that he would support even a “bad deal” if it could end the war and allow the Strait of Hormuz to reopen.

Murphy warned that the cost of restoring normal traffic through the strategically important waterway was increasing as negotiations remained stalled.

The senator argued that continuing military operations would impose growing economic and strategic costs on the United States.

“The war needs to end because every day that the war continues, America gets weaker, Iran gets stronger, and people here in the United States get screwed as prices go up and up and up,” Murphy said.

According to The Washington Times, Iranian officials have demanded reparations, the lifting of US sanctions and an end to American military operations as part of efforts to resolve the conflict.

Murphy said he would oppose additional funding to continue the war, but would support replenishing US military munitions once the conflict had ended.

The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important energy corridors, has emerged as a major issue amid the stalled negotiations.

Murphy’s comments reflect growing debate in Washington over the military and economic costs of prolonging the conflict, particularly as disruptions around the waterway contribute to higher energy prices.

The senator’s remarks also signal opposition to further escalation and support for diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict and restoring stability in the region. (ILKHA)