Navajo president issues statement on Iran conflict

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez speaks during his inaugural address in 2019. (Loretta McKenney/NHO)

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez speaks during his inaugural address in 2019. (Loretta McKenney/NHO)

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer issued a statement Jan. 7 on the current conflict in Iran.

The statement is in response to the aftermath of the killing of Iran Major Gen. Qassem Soleimani.

"Our administration offers prayers for all military men and women and their families," the statement on Facebook read. "Many of our own Diné people serve in every branch of the Armed Forces — we pray for their protection from any harm and we pray that they return home safely to their families. We strongly believe that our country is capable of resolving the issues with Iran diplomatically. The further the situation escalates the greater the risk is for our military men and women — we should always do everything we can to avoid putting them in harm’s way."

The statement went on to saying the Navajo people have a long and proud history of military service.

"There is no doubt that we helped this great country of ours in every major battle to date. We know the devastating impacts that war and military conflict can have on the lives of our men and women, especially our sons and daughters who often suffer long-term disabilities," the statement read. "Our Navajo people have given their lives for this country and for our people. With this in mind, it’s imperative that the U.S. do everything within its power to bring a peaceful end to the conflict with Iran. Let us join together in prayer for the safety of our soldiers, their families, and for our country.”

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President Donald Trump addresses the nation from the White House on the ballistic missile strike that Iran launched against Iraqi air bases housing U.S. troops Jan. 8, in Washington, as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, Vice President Mike Pence, and others look on. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)

About the Iran Conflict

The U.S. and Iran stepped back from the brink of possible war Jan. 8 as President Donald Trump signaled he would not retaliate militarily for Iran's missile strikes on Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops. No one was harmed in the strikes, but U.S. forces in the region remained on high alert.

Speaking from the White House, Trump seemed intent on deescalating the crisis, which spiraled after he authorized the targeted killing last week of Iran's top general, Qassem Soleimani. Iran responded overnight with its most direct assault on America since the 1979 seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, firing more than a dozen missiles at two installations in Iraq. The Pentagon said Jan. 8 that it believed Iran fired with the intent to kill.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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