CNN’s Scott Jennings tore into Cornel West Tuesday night during a fiery segment on CNN NewsNight. The clash? Whether stopping Iran’s nuclear program was “immoral.”
The U.S. carried out massive airstrikes early Sunday, targeting Iran’s nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Seven B-2 Spirit bombers flew a grueling 37-hour mission, dropping 14 bunker-buster bombs.
Cornel West wasn’t impressed. “It’s illegal, unconstitutional and a violation of international law,” he said. “You can‘t violate national sovereignty of a country.”
Former Bush official Pete Seat quickly jumped in: “It is not illegal in any way, shape or form.”
Jennings pushed harder. “We do it all the time,” he said. West shot back, “I know, because America violates international law all the time.”
Jennings didn’t let it go. “Who’s going to stop us?” he asked. West answered, “You would think morality ought to play some role.”
“You think it’s immoral to stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapon?” Jennings pressed. “Who’s the moral actor here, Iran or the United States?”
West deflected to Israel, accusing them of lacking moral authority due to Gaza. He said the U.S. had no moral ground either. Meanwhile, tensions keep climbing. Israel hit Iran first on June 12. Iran has since fired back with missiles and rejected nuclear negotiations.