Carl Roose
In the early hours of June 13, Israel launched airstrikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran, targeting several locations across the country. While the full scale of the destruction is not yet clear, initial reports indicate these strikes killed at least 78 people – including children, scientists, and military leaders – and injured over 300.
Iran responded by launching drones towards Israel, with no injuries reported; a larger response is expected. Israel’s unilateral military attack on Iranian sovereign territory represents a significant escalation, threatening regional and global security. While the U.S. did not take part in the attack, these actions would not be possible without the billions of dollars in weapons and support provided by the U.S. The U.S. and other international powers must condemn this act of aggression while working for an immediate de-escalation.
The attack comes as the U.S. was preparing to engage in another round of negotiations with Iran. Those negotiations were aimed at realizing a new nuclear nonproliferation agreement and deescalating regional tensions. Israel made clear that it opposes any such agreement, and this attack creates a serious barrier to an agreement being realized.
Israel’s latest airstrikes on Iran are also happening in the context of a decades-long Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territory, the ongoing genocide against Palestinians, months of Israeli attacks on Yemen, and continued Israeli military attacks and illegal occupations in parts of Lebanon and Syria.
The Trump Administration should immediately condemn Israel’s action and take steps to de-escalate. The U.S. should also end its military and political support for Israel, including by halting weapons sales and funding that allow Israel to act with impunity.
We are calling on the Trump Administration and Congress to:
- Condemn Israel’s attacks, call for an immediate ceasefire and de-escalation, and affirm that the U.S. remains committed to ongoing and long-term diplomatic engagement with Iran.
- Commit to NO direct U.S. military engagement, additional troops, airstrikes, or other military actions against Iran. Instead, the U.S. must engage in direct diplomacy with Iran with the aim of de-escalation in the region.
- Institute an immediate arms embargo on Israel
- Demand a permanent cease-fire in Gaza and the region.
- Abide by U.S. and international laws to prevent further atrocities and erosion of the existing international system of protection.
It is only through these concrete actions that the U.S. can prevent rather than provoke a wider war and avoid further death and destruction that will hurt all people in the region. Peace and security will never be achieved through war and violence.
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The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) promotes a world free of violence, inequality, and oppression. Guided by the Quaker belief in the divine light within each person, we nurture the seeds of change and the respect for human life to fundamentally transform our societies and institutions. We work with people and partners worldwide, of all faiths and backgrounds, to meet urgent community needs, challenge injustice, and build peace.