Washington, D.C. – With the Trump admin now deploying a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East for potential war with Iran, NIAC reiterated its call with major veteran, nonproliferation, and pro-peace organizations for Congress to vote on the Iran War Powers resolution:
“We are deeply concerned the president will plunge the U.S. into an open-ended military conflict in Iran with untold consequences without any debate or authorization from Congress. For decades experts have warned a U.S. regime-change war in Iran would dwarf the experience of Afghanistan and Iraq. Yet even those wars that continue to haunt the U.S. and region were debated and authorized by Congress.
“The American people do not support a war on Iran. Recent polling by Quinnipiac revealed that 70% of Americans oppose military action on Iran, with just 18% of Americans in support. It further found that 70% of Americans think the President should first seek approval from Congress before taking any military action. A new University of Maryland poll finds just one in five Americans support a strike, with nearly three-quarters of Democrats and most independents opposed and 60% of Republicans opposed or unsure if they would support an attack on Iran.
“The Iranian people have already endured devastating sanctions, internal repression, and last year’s 12-day-war. Another large-scale war would not advance freedom or security. It would inflict immense civilian harm, destabilize the region, and empower the very hardline forces that diplomacy seeks to sideline.
“Positioning two carrier strike groups in close proximity to Iran dramatically increases the risk of miscalculation and unintended conflict at a sensitive moment. History shows that when military pressure and negotiations run in parallel, the margin for error shrinks. A single incident can spiral into a broader confrontation that neither side initially intended.
“Senators Tim Kaine and Rand Paul have introduced a resolution that would prevent the President from unilaterally deciding to strike Iran without Congressional approval. Representatives Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie have similar War Powers legislation in the House that will receive a vote if just one Member discharges it. These War Powers resolutions are the most immediate tools available to prevent an unauthorized and catastrophic war.
“Earlier this week, a coalition of 25 major veteran, nonproliferation, and pro-peace organizations publicly called on Congress to support and advance the Iran War Powers resolutions. Congress must take up its responsibility to protect ongoing diplomacy and prevent a devastating conflict. And the Administration must support its own de-escalation efforts to secure a path away from endless war.”