Senator Rand Paul, R-Ky., on Tuesday criticized President Donald Trump's handling of the conflict in Iran, stating that the United States is now in a "worse off" position than before the "war of choice" began.

Appearing on MS NOW's "Morning Joe," Paul contended that while U.S. military action has degraded Iran's capabilities, it has also led to the militarization of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route. This development, he argued, represents a step backward.

"I think if you look at it objectively, one step forward — we decimated their military — but two steps backwards, in that they militarized the Strait [of Hormuz]," Paul stated. "The strait has never been militarized."

Paul asserted that meaningful negotiations, including addressing Iran's nuclear program, cannot occur until the strait is demilitarized. He believes that, by objective standards, the U.S. is in a weaker position now than prior to the conflict.

The senator also highlighted the human and economic costs of the war. He reported that at least 18 U.S. service members and over 3,000 Iranians have lost their lives. Furthermore, Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil supply passes, has contributed to rising gas and food prices and heightened concerns about a global energy crisis.

Paul referenced Trump's prior statements about a deal to end the war being "imminent," noting that such claims have been made on multiple occasions since the conflict's inception in February. He also recalled a memorandum of understanding signed in June for a temporary ceasefire, which was later declared over by Trump, leading to renewed bombing campaigns.

Citing the War Powers Resolution of 1973, Paul emphasized that the Constitution designates Congress as the body responsible for declaring war. He stated that the initiation of military conflict should not rest with a single individual.

"The Constitution says that the declaration of war, the initiation of war, is a vote of Congress," Paul said. "It was a big debate in the Constitutional Convention. All of our Founding Fathers, from Hamilton to Jefferson, agreed. They didn’t want this power in the hands of one person."

Paul, who endorsed Trump in the 2020 election but initially withheld his support in the 2024 campaign, has become a vocal critic of several Trump administration foreign policy decisions. He has previously described lethal U.S. airstrikes on suspected drug smugglers as "summary execution."

Regarding the Iran conflict, Paul suggested that diplomacy is the most viable path forward. He argued that the war, which has incurred significant financial costs, makes withdrawal difficult for the administration. However, he believes that achieving objectives such as the removal of enriched uranium is best pursued through negotiation rather than prolonged military engagement.

"And you wouldn’t have to worry about whether they’re telling the truth or not, because it would be the removal of something that physically would happen," Paul said, referring to a deal that would involve trading sanctions relief for the removal of enriched uranium. "So I think there is possibility for a peace, but there are some in my party that don’t want any peace."