PARKERSBURG — West Virginia and Ohio congressional representatives reacted Friday to the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in an airstrike in Iraq.

“American military forces have taken out another of the world’s top terrorists in Soleimani, a top commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps,” said Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio, in an emailed statement. “He is directly responsible for the deaths of American troops. This is welcome news to all who oppose the Iranian regime’s unchecked aggression in the Middle East.

“Think Iran will see that the days of ‘pallets of cash’ diplomacy as rewards for continual bad behavior is over?” he added.

That’s a reference to money paid to Iran following the nuclear deal from which the U.S. has since withdrawn to settle a debt for military equipment Iran purchased in the ’70s that was never delivered after diplomatic relations collapsed, according to the Associated Press.

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., issued a statement in support of the strike Friday.

“The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is a terrorist organization, and Qassem Soleimani has been a leader of the world’s greatest state sponsor of terrorism,” she said. “There is no question that Soleimani is responsible for the murders of many Americans, and he was actively plotting to kill more. Scores of U.S. soldiers died or were seriously wounded in Iraq by the IED weapons that he was responsible for.

“Iran has been escalating tensions for months now, most recently sponsoring the attack on the U.S. Embassy in Iraq, and yesterday’s action demonstrated that Iranian terrorism will not be tolerated,” she said.

In his statement, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., acknowledged the threat posed by Soleimani, calling him “a terrorist who did not value human life” and “a persistent threat to American troops and regional stability.”

“However, Congress cannot be left in the dark on operations of this magnitude, and the administration must brief Congress on what imminent threat made it necessary to take him out now,” Manchin said. “I urge administration officials to brief all members of Congress so we may better understand the circumstances surrounding the strike, potential retaliation scenarios and the U.S. government’s next steps in deescalating conflict in the region, both militarily and diplomatically.”

Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, said on Twitter Friday that he was monitoring the situation closely.

“Soleimani has been responsible for the deaths of many Americans over the years (and) directed the recent attacks on U.S. personnel in the region,” he said. “Iranian aggression must not go unchecked. I look forward to a full briefing by the administration.”

That’s something fellow Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, wants as well.

“With increased tensions in the region, and the likelihood that Iran will respond in some way to this strike, the administration must immediately brief Congress on last night’s strike, its apparent lack of coordination with Iraq’s government and any plans it has made to keep Americans safe,” Brown said in a statement.

“We can’t let this administration’s chaotic foreign policy lead to another war in the Middle East,” he said. “The U.S. must do all it can with our allies to de-escalate the situation.”

In an emailed statement, Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., called President Donald Trump’s response to recent provocations by Iran and more likely attacks appropriate.

“Qassem Soleimani’s death is a reminder that we will not allow attacks on American soldiers go unpunished,” he said.

Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va., also expressed support in his own statement.

“I stand with President Donald Trump and our military and intelligence leaders as they work to ensure the safety of Americans at home and abroad,” he said.

Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.