A U.S. airstrike near Baghdad's airport killed a top Iranian general who had been the architect of its interventions across the Middle East.

The killing of General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, marks a major escalation in the standoff between Washington and Iran, which has careened from one crisis to another since President Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal and imposed crippling sanctions.

Here is what members of Congress across the Capital Region, North Country and Hudson Valley are saying about the incident:

Rep. Paul Tonko (D, NY-20)

“There is no doubt that Qasem Soleimani was responsible for heinous acts against Americans and our interests, but I am deeply disturbed by the President’s reckless escalation with Iran, which occurred without an Authorization for Use of Military Force or consultation with Congress.

“The American people do not want another costly and unnecessary conflict in the Middle East, but this drone strike brings us closer to that outcome. The Administration should immediately brief Congress on its long-term strategy, including its plan to protect Americans, in the region.

“The potential for this type of action was a major reason why I opposed the FY20 National Defense Authorization Act last month. The final agreement removed bipartisan language to prohibit an unauthorized war with Iran. Now it falls onto Congress to hold the Administration accountable and prevent our nation from being dragged into a conflict with consequences that have not been fully considered by Congress or communicated to the American people.”

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R, NY-21)

"Donald J. Trump is reaffirming the proven doctrine of Peace Through Strength. Iran was given multiple warnings and instead chose to continue escalating tensions and threatening US troops and diplomats. The era of leading from behind with pallets of cash is over.

"Every American should thank our brave men and women in uniform and our intelligence community who executed this successful mission."

Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D, NY-18)

"General Soleimani has been responsible for the deaths of countless American servicemembers and other innocent victims during his years of leading Iran’s terrorist actions. No one who loves freedom and justice should mourn his death.

"But to order his killing in Iraq represents a dangerous gamble in the escalatory cycle the President has undertaken with Iran.

"As a member of the Intelligence Committee, I will be seeking a classified briefing at the soonest opportunity to better understand the President’s rationale for ordering this killing as well as the Administration’s planning for the inevitable repercussions, the potential for a major conflict, and the immediate threats to our personnel and partners in the region."

Rep. Antonio Delgado (D, NY-19)

"Qassem Soleimani was responsible for the deaths of American servicemembers and innocent civilians throughout the Middle East—he met the fate he deserved. That said, last night the Administration took an enormous and escalatory step in a volatile area of the world without clear coordination with our allies, Congress, or stakeholders in the region, and with no explanation for how it will manage the inevitable repercussions. Moving forward, I have serious questions about how the Administration plans to keep our men and women in uniform and diplomats serving across the region safe, and avoid the march to another costly war in the Middle East. Congress should be briefed immediately on the situation, including the Administration’s legal justification for the strike, and concrete plans going forward."

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.)

"... It’s troubling that Americans serving our country have been put in harm’s way because President Trump did not carefully consider the devastating consequences of war with Iran before ordering this strike. ..."

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.)

"... This action may well have brought our nation closer to another endless war, the kind of endless war he promised not to drag us into. ..."