Bernie Sanders urges the U.S. to avoid war with Iran

In the context of escalating tensions, on June 13th, 2025, an unprovoked attack on Iran's nuclear facilities was launched by Israel, igniting fears of a larger conflict in the region. This event occurred against the backdrop of President Donald Trump's military action against Iran's nuclear capabilities, a direct response to what Sanders describes as a violation of international law. The history of U.S. military engagements is fraught with lessons from past conflicts, including Vietnam and Iraq, which saw immense loss of life and societal division. Sanders emphasizes the importance of congressional authority to declare war, highlighting that Trump's unilateral decision lacked justification given that there was no imminent threat posed by Iran. Sanders reflects on the narrative that helped justify the Iraq War in 2002, where assertions made by leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about Saddam Hussein's alleged pursuit of nuclear weapons, contributed to the push for military intervention. He indicates that such rhetoric should not guide U.S. policy towards Iran, especially given the past mistakes. The Senator asserts that Israel's actions against Iran are their business and should not involve U.S. military support, framing it as a moral obligation to avoid facilitating conflict that results in high civilian casualties. Furthermore, Sanders condemns the ongoing humanitarian crisis resulting from Israeli military actions against Palestinians and calls for a more nuanced view of international relations. He states that condemning Israel's aggressive actions is necessary for a just foreign policy. The overarching theme of Sanders's argument is a plea for restraint, diplomacy, and a careful evaluation of America's alliances that compass military involvements abroad. He argues that affiliations with governments that perpetrate humanitarian violations are not conducive to upholding American values or international law. Ultimately, Sanders concludes that the U.S. should adopt a position that refrains from endorsing military interventions stemming from external influences, particularly from factions that act in ways that contravene international standards of conduct. He calls for a policy that prioritizes peace and dialogue while avoiding entanglement in conflicts initiated by other nations, thereby suggesting a need for strategic reassessment of U.S. foreign policy towards the Middle East.