The undersigned organizations, representing millions of their members across the country, condemn the unauthorized and unconstitutional U.S. strikes on Iran and urge Members of Congress to publicly support and vote for an Iran War Powers Resolution to prohibit and block further U.S. military force against Iran.
Earlier this month, Israel launched illegal strikes on Iran in the heart of its capital, Tehran, killing scores of civilians. Israel carried out assassinations of top Iranian leaders and scientists, and nearly killed the lead official coordinating Iran’s diplomatic talks with the U.S. Many of these attacks killed innocent bystanders, including families that just happened to live near one of Israel’s targets.
Under heavy pressure from Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Trump on June 21st launched U.S. airstrikes against Iranian nuclear sites without Congressional authorization. These airstrikes against Iran were an act of war, while there was no immediate threat to U.S. national security. There is no military solution to security concerns around Iran’s nuclear program. These strikes were illegal, unconstitutional, and counterproductive.
Israeli officials have shown that this is not about Iran’s nuclear program, it is about sabotaging the possibility of diplomacy and a peaceful resolution with Iran. There was no imminent threat from Iran’s nuclear program. It is in fact a war of choice.
Let’s be clear how we got here: President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the Iran Deal (JCPOA) in 2018 which was working and limiting Iran’s nuclear program peacefully. The recent diplomatic efforts between the U.S. and Iran were making major progress and could have resolved Iran’s nuclear program effectively, transparently, and peacefully.
The American people do not support or want a war with Iran. Only a diplomatic resolution will safeguard U.S. interests, reflect the will of the American people, prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, and avert a catastrophic and avoidable war.
We are urging Members of Congress to condemn the unauthorized strikes on Iran, co-sponsor and vote for the War Powers Resolutions led by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) - S.J.Res. 59 - and Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA) - H.Con.Res. 38. Doing so is the only way for lawmakers to show that they stand with their constituents, for the Constitution, and for an end to all illegal and unauthorized offensive military attacks against Iran.
Sincerely,
99 Coalition
A New Policy
ActionAid USA
Action Corps
Adalah Justice Project
Afghans For A Better Tomorrow
Alliance of Baptists
American Friends Service Committee
Arab American Civic Council
Back from the Brink Coalition
Brooklyn For Peace
Churches for Middle East Peace
CODEPINK
Council for a Livable World
Defending Rights & Dissent
Delawareans for Palestinian Human Rights
Demand Progress
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA)
Hindus for Human Rights
Historians for Peace and Democracy
Honor the Earth
IfNotNow Movement
Institute for Policy Studies, New Internationalism Project
Justice Democrats
Just Foreign Policy
MADRE
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
Migrant Roots Media
Minnesota Peace Project
MPower Change Action Fund
Muslim Counterpublics Lab
Muslims for Just Futures
National Iranian American Council
National Priorities Project at the Institute for Policy Studies
New York Progressive Action Network
Our Revolution
Palestine Justice Network of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Pax Christi New York State
Peace Action
Peace Action Maine
Peace Action New Hampshire
Peace Action New York State
Peace and Justice Coalition of Prince Georges County MD
Peace, Justice, Sustainability NOW
Physicians for Social Responsibility
Physicians for Social Responsibility Los Angeles
Physicians for Social Responsibility Maine
Physicians for Social Responsibility San Francisco Bay
Physicians for Social Responsibility Texas
Progressive Democrats of America
Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft
ReThinking Foreign Policy
RootsAction
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas
Unitarian Universalist Association
Veterans For Peace
Western New York Peace Center
World BEYOND War
Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation