Today the U.S. bombed the Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear energy facilities in Iran. This unprovoked attack by the United States is an illegal act of aggression and a violation of both international and U.S. law. For the past week, Israel and Iran have been engaged in an escalating air war after Israel launched a unilateral attack. This escalation is also happening in the context of Israel’s genocidal campaign in Gaza, bombing of Yemen and Syria, and relentless attacks on Lebanon in violation of the ceasefire agreement.
The death toll from tonight’s strikes is not yet known, but in the last week more than 400 Iranians and 25 Israelis have been killed. In Gaza, Israel has killed more than 55,000 people since the genocide began, including over 500 in the last week alone. We mourn the loss of all of the victims and we hold their loved ones and communities in the Light.
We must also hold our government accountable – for tonight’s bombing and for funding and arming Israel. We must increase the pressure on Israel and the Trump administration to demand an end to their illegal and immoral attacks.
Congress also has the power to stop the U.S. from illegally entering a new war. Both the Constitution and the War Powers Resolution of 1973 are clear – the president must seek congressional approval before engaging in hostilities against another country. Last week, both the House and Senate introduced “War Powers” legislation to block the executive branch from taking unilateral and unauthorized action. We need members of Congress to speak out against this act of U.S. aggression and immediately pass these bills.
The consequences of inaction – or continued escalation – are severe. There is a very real risk of a military response by Iran, including possible attacks on U.S. military targets in the Middle East. Trump’s direct attack on Iran has placed U.S. military personnel and citizens at increased risk. In his address tonight, he threatened future and even more significant attacks, signaling that any Iranian response could be used as justification for pulling the U.S. deeper into a protracted war. If that is the case, tens or even hundreds of thousands more lives could be lost.
Iran does not have nuclear weapons. In briefings to congress earlier this year, U.S. intelligence officials stated that Iran was not seeking to build nuclear weapons. On the other hand, Israel has undeclared nuclear weapons, refuses all nuclear weapons inspections, and has not signed on to nuclear weapons treaties. If the U.S wants to stop nuclear proliferation in the Middle East it should push for a regional agreement that includes denuclearization by Israel and the U.S.
The U.S. attack will make diplomacy more difficult, but only direct engagement can bring this war to an end. The pressure that is needed now is not pressure on Iran. What is needed is pressure on Israel and the Trump administration to demand an end to their illegal attacks.
A clear majority of people across the U.S. political spectrum oppose war with Iran. This majority needs to speak out loudly by saying no to war, escalating pressure on political leaders and war profiteers, and demanding immediate action from Congress.
Together we can bring this war to an end.
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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.