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The United States is edging dangerously close to another unauthorized war in the Middle East. President Trump and his administration have undertaken a significant military buildup in the region while issuing repeated threats to attack Iran.
These threats are framed as a response to the Iranian government’s repression of protesters and its grave human rights abuses. We condemn the Islamic Republic’s violence and repression in the strongest possible terms. But military strikes would not protect protesters or advance human rights. Instead, they would risk widespread civilian suffering inside Iran and could ignite a catastrophic regional war.
Pass the Iran War Powers Resolution
The U.S. Constitution and the War Powers Act of 1973 are clear: only Congress has the power to declare war. The stakes are too high for Congress to remain silent. War with Iran would be catastrophic and unlawful if undertaken without congressional authorization. Any U.S. military action must adhere to constitutional processes and moral responsibility. Initiating war without congressional approval undermines our nation’s commitment to the rule of law.
Why Congress Must Pass the Iran War Powers Resolution (S.J.Res.104 & H.Con.Res.38)
- There Is No Justification for Escalation with Iran: Last year’s military escalations involving Israel, Iran, and the United States were reckless and dangerous. The United States must not be drawn into another unnecessary war, especially one that experts say could spiral into a much broader regional conflict with devastating consequences. There is no imminent threat to the U.S. from Iran that would justify an attack. Escalation now would be a strategic mistake and a profound moral failure.
- Reclaiming Constitutional Authority Over War: The Iran War Powers Resolution reaffirms a foundational principle: the president cannot unilaterally wage war without explicit congressional authorization. The Founders vested the power to declare war in Congress to ensure that such grave decisions reflect the will of the American people. Passing this resolution is critical to restore the constitutional balance of war powers and prevent executive overreach.
- War with Iran Would Serve No U.S. Interest: Another war in the Middle East would undermine U.S. security and stability. It would endanger U.S. troops, inflame regional tensions, empower hardliners and extremists, and divert resources from urgent domestic priorities. A strong majority of Americans oppose war with Iran. We cannot afford to repeat the catastrophic mistakes of Iraq and Afghanistan.
- The United States Must Lead with Diplomacy: War is not the answer to rising tensions between Israel and Iran or to help the Iranian people. Diplomacy has worked before. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action successfully constrained Iran’s nuclear program through inspections and verification. Negotiations remain the only viable path to addressing nuclear concerns, broader regional tensions, and the rights of the Iranian people. Instead of enabling unauthorized military action, Congress and the administration must prioritize urgent diplomacy and regional de-escalation.
Contact: Hassan El-Tayyab, Legislative Director for Middle East Policy, hassan@fcnl.org
