Reports suggesting that the Pentagon is planning a multi-week ground invasion of Iran have sparked sharp reactions from U.S. lawmakers across the political spectrum.

Appearing on NBC’s Meet the Press, Senator James Lankford, a member of President Donald Trump’s own Republican Party, addressed the potential escalation. "It is essential to understand exactly why we are sending troops," Lankford remarked.

When questioned on whether President Trump would require Congressional authorization to deploy forces to Iran, he noted that the necessity of such approval would depend on the specific nature of the military engagement.

Democratic lawmakers, however, expressed grave concerns regarding the risk of a protracted and dangerous conflict. Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey warned that the administration's current trajectory lacks a clear exit strategy.

"Without Congressional authorization, Trump is pushing us into a conflict from which there is no visible way out," Booker stated.

Echoing these concerns on ABC News’ This Week, Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen highlighted the human and economic costs of the escalating tensions. "Instead of making us safer, this war is costing American lives," Van Hollen said.

He further noted the mounting financial burden, stating, "Hundreds of billions of dollars are being spent every day, while the prices of fuel and gas continue to soar."

The reports of a planned ground operation, initially highlighted by The Guardian, signal a deepening divide in Washington over the administration's military strategy in the Middle East.