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The U.S. is edging dangerously close to another unauthorized war in the Middle East. Recent escalations between Israel and Iran—sparked by Israel’s unprovoked airstrikes in June—have brought the region to the brink of a full-blown regional war. 

President Trump has escalated rhetoric demanding Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and even urging nearly 10 million civilians in Tehran to evacuate. The United States has directly attacked three nuclear sites. With tensions high and the death toll rising by the day, the American people face the very real possibility of being dragged into yet another costly and avoidable conflict.

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 simply too high for Congress to remain silent, as war with Iran would be both catastrophic and illegal. Any U.S. military action must be undertaken with full adherence to constitutional processes and moral responsibility. Initiating war without proper congressional approval undermines our nation’s commitments to justice and the rule of law.  

Why Congress must pass the Iran War Powers Resolution (S.J.Res.59 & H.Con.Res.38):

  • There is No Justification for Escalation with Iran: Netanyahu’s strikes on Iran were reckless, escalatory, and not in response to any credible threat. The U.S. must not be drawn into an unnecessary war with Iran. According to the U.S. intelligence assessments, Iran is not actively pursuing a nuclear weapon. There is no legal or strategic justification for launching a war of choice.
  • Reclaiming Constitutional Authority on War: The Iran War Powers Resolution reaffirms a basic truth: the president cannot unilaterally wage war against Iran without explicit Congressional authorization. The Founders gave this responsibility to Congress to ensure any decision to go to war reflects the will of the American people. As James Madison warned, “In no part of the constitution is more wisdom to be found than in the clause which confides the question of war or peace to the legislature.”
  • War with Iran Would Serve No U.S. Interest: Another war in the Middle East is antithetical to U.S. interests. It risks the lives of U.S. troops, inflames regional instability, emboldens hardliners and extremists, and diverts critical resources from urgent domestic needs. A strong majority of Americans—across party and faith lines—oppose this war, with only 16% supporting U.S. involvement, according to recent YouGov polling. We cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of Iraq and Afghanistan. What we need is robust regional diplomacy that addresses root causes of violence plaguing the Middle East – starting with an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
  • The U.S. Must Lead With Diplomacy: War is not the answer to rising tensions between Israel and Iran. The U.S. had a working nuclear agreement—the JCPOA—that successfully constrained Iran’s nuclear program. Despite ripping up the agreement in his first term, the Trump administration had also reentered a sixth round of negotiations with Iran before Israel’s strikes derailed diplomacy. Instead of greenlighting unauthorized strikes on Iran, Congress and the administration must pursue urgent diplomacy and regional deescalation. 

Contact: Hassan El-Tayyab, Legislative Director for Middle East Policy, hassan@fcnl.org