War with Iran has Begun, Say No to War

War with Iran to Appease Israel

Over the past week, one of California’s remaining print newspaper’s front page stories are about the city facing higher costs and having to make tough decisions, including both department layoffs and higher fees. This is what many cities across the USA are facing today.

Yet by the next month, at least 30 billion dollars will have been spent in the new war on Iran and other US-Israeli operations. This is what an over trillion dollar defense budget can buy. Another perspective is that American social welfare cuts are paying for assassinations and the destruction of thousands of innocent lives and people’s livelihoods.

This is why a significant number of Democrat and Independent legislators in Congress and state capitols are speaking out against the new war in Iran which officially started on February 28th. Working in close cooperation with the genocidal leader in Israel, Trump authorized the bombing of Iran Supreme Leader Khameini’s family compound and assassinated various military generals in Iran, using twice as much “shock and awe” fire power as they did twenty-three years ago at the start of the war on Iraq.

Just as in previous operations, Operation Epic Fury (United States) and Operation Roaring Lion (Israel) were planned years in advance for maximum “shock-and-awe,” a doctrine developed by, among other defense consultants, Harlan Ullman. It was launched successfully during initial phase of the Iraq War, with the use of decisive force and massive bombing to “decapitate the leadership.” Except back then, at least, President Saddam Hussein was captured alive and allowed to stand trial. Arguably everything so far this year, including January’s capture of Venezuelan President Maduro, were a lead up for what may become a new long war with Iran.

But Iran is the 17th largest country in land area; it is larger than Pakistan and Afghanistan combined; it is 3.75 times the size of Iraq where the U.S. is still mired, both politically and militarily. The U.S. continues to fund or back various separatist groups such as the Kurds, ISIS (Al Qaeda)(one of who is now the President of Syria), and a variety of special military contractors. Now, because it is on the Pentagon and Israel’s checklist of countries to destroy, this will be its assignation no matter the costs to the American Soul.

The days when Al Qaeda (ISIS) was viewed as an enemy (it was founded with the help of the CIA) are long gone: the assassination of IRGC Commander General Soleimani as a favor proves that whichever direction Israel points, the USA will bend its knee. Afterall, wasn’t Soleimani the pride of Iran because he fought so well, long and hard, against ISIS?

Here is how the Observer Diplomat concludes “Iran 30 Years Later: What Really Happened and Who’s Still Accountable?”:

“For Iraq and its people, the wounds of the war are far from healed. The world must confront the uncomfortable truth: the invasion of Iraq, based on lies and misguided assumptions, not only failed its people but also triggered a cascade of disasters that continue to reverberate. As we remember the 20th anniversary, it is essential to ask: What will it take for those who orchestrated this war to face the consequences of their actions? The legacy of Iraq, and the lasting question of accountability, must not be forgotten.”

Now, President Donald Trump is playing the “judge, jury, and executioner” on Iran and its theocratic political system. Trump-cult followers are dubbing him the “G.O.A.T.” (Greatest of All Time). He dreams of art-works in homage to himself and adulation from the crowds in Tehran. But how will attacking another country out of the blue, without Congressional approval, increase his popularity among Moslems, Persians, and Arabs here in America and around the world?

Arguably following Israel’s lead in regime-change, there are no limits to its ruthlessness and barbarism. Everyone has seen the live-streamed ongoing continued genocidal operations taking place in Gaza and now also including the West Bank. They have ignored human rights—-and endured no UN sanctions whatsoever—-for depriving human beings access to water, food, housing, medicines, and many other basic necessities. Merely on the basis that “They are all Hamas,” hundreds of thousands of innocent ordinary human adults are missing, murdered, wounded, maimed for life, and their children stunted for a generation from malnutrition, and diseases stemming from lack of sanitation.

Political observers are already reporting that the IDF and their minions (the Europeans are now lately joining in the fun) are bombing hospitals, institutions, airports, and news stations in Iran. After all, what difference does it make between Iran and Gaza except that now they must strike faster, harder, and with even more brutality? Using the same playbook of bigotry, religious hate, objectification, pre-crime, labeling civilians as “terrorists” and politicization of international humanitarian nonprofit aid organizations, the IDF will murder more poor helpless people, terrorize them, and hold them in detention. They will humiliate and torture them using all kinds of sick abusive perverted practices.

AGN has already noticed that Mehr News is offline, and so is Tehran Times. IRIB News Agency was struck by fighter jets in early March. FreePalestineTV reported that in South Beirut, Al Mayadeen TV was bombed. FPTV visited the neighborhood in Lebanon while UAVs continued flying, and rifle-sound shelling could be overheard. Incidentally this is what Ullman calls “controlling the environment”: being able to censor, if not silence, those who would tell the truth and report the news for the people. For instance, the Epstein-class are cheering Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi to ascend; they hacked Iranian State News just to air Pahlavi’s message telling the military to become his turncoats.

Because of a general electrical blackout hitting Iraq, one suspects that even EMF weapons are being deployed. The news from Iran is limited and a lot of guesswork is taking place. One expert in Iran, Dr. Muhammed Marandi, tells audiences that this is so that the leadership can retain an impenetrable communications network. However other outages are likely from hostile forces. Meanwhile the Iranian military is launching Operation True Promise; they have no intention of halting its phases in missile strikes anytime soon.

War Used by Israel to Spread Death and Destruction of Lebanon

At least 14 joint American airbases have been struck by Iran including in Bahrain, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, even Jordan. There are also repeated attempts to strike the Israeli Dimona Nuclear Power Plant and military targets in Tel Aviv. Just as alternative news podcasters and experts predicted, this is rapidly becoming a regional war.

Now the IDF are also openly violating the UN ceasefire and launching “thousands of attacks” on Lebanon in the past 12 hours, injuring and martyring hundreds of Lebanese citizens. Of course any response, even a few home-made rockets (which Hamas and Hezbollah manufacture), is met with disproportionate force. Israel is launching attacks from the sea and prepared to take Tyre while softening the territory north of the Litani River for future invasion. Every day there are reports of villagers being struck by UAVs in South Lebanon and missiles hitting the Bekaa Valley.

But Lebanon’s political-class continues to issue statements of propitiation to the West promising they will disarm Hezbollah. With no hope of an effective local army it is the right of the ordinary Lebanese to own a gun, yet now the owner will be labeled as “Hezbollah” and killed, even though under UN international rules, there is the right to self-defense.

In any event, according to FPTV, the Western media is presenting a one-sided story on the extent of American and Israeli casualties. For instance, Hal Turner Radio Show posted an aerial photograph of the 5th Navy Fleet in Bahrain heavily bombed and only shell structures remaining. From that attack alone, it is clear that quite a few humans, if not US military, in the vicinity were injured. Of course Israel has long had policy of Western news review censoring any significant losses or casualties on their side.

The extent that AI is being used to generate propaganda or repurpose old footage from Iraq demonstrations is also being discussed by Syria Analysis. That Western news is using heavily inflated numbers of protesters killed by the Iranian regime (30,000 vs 3,000) shows that this is hasbara-style information war. The West can manipulate footage from past protests to sway public opinion: Iran is a house of cards and it will be over within weeks. Everyone must join this new war to fight without any reservation.

However Iran is hitting American airbases with precision strikes in Bahrain, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, even Jordan, and attempting to strike the Dimona Nuclear Power Plant and American aircraft carriers. If nuclear facilities are struck whether in Zaporizhzhia, Dimona, or any other weapons-grade uranium facilities, the environmental consequences will be disastrous. It is already the case that armory and refinery fires in the Gulf countries are releasing unknown types and quantities of toxic wastes that have been attributed to causing Gulf War Syndrome.

Lawmakers Saying No

Since June 2025, the National Iranian American Council has been speaking against a potential war with Iran. Notwithstanding Iranian and Gulf nations’ general human rights violations, they do not see war as an answer. Diplomacy, peace-talks, and respect for the right of a nation to its sovereignty are backed by the UN Secretariat. NIAC is working with World Beyond War and Code Pink in promoting “The Iran War Powers Resolution (WPR)” bills proposed in the Senate and the House.

As long as there is a Congress, various versions of the WPR can be introduced. NIAC hopes that with bipartisan support, the bill will gain hundreds of co-sponsors.

From NIAC’s press release “With 90% chance of war on Iran, Congress must act now to prevent illegal U.S. military adventure” dated February 18, 2026:

“A war with Iran would carry enormous regional consequences, endanger American service members and Iranian civilians alike, destabilize global markets, and risk spiraling escalation across the region and diminished civil liberties at home. The American public has consistently opposed such a war. Lawmakers must reflect that reality.”

Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced “S.J. Res. 104 – A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress” on January 29, 2026. Since its original co-sponsor, it has gained 26 more co-sponsors including support from Senators Adam Schiff, Charles Schumer, Andy Kim, Chris Van Hollen, Bernie Sanders, Jeff Merkley, Tammy Duckworth, Angus King, Mazie Hirono, Edward Markey, Angela Alsobrooks, Richard Durbin, Kirsten Gillibrand, Elizabeth Warren, Patty Murray, Richard Blumenthal, Ron Wyden, Maria Cantwell, and Cory Booker.

Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia issued a press release on Feb 20, 2026 that reads in part:

“Trump is bumbling his way toward war with Iran in a feeble attempt to accomplish what had already been done by a diplomatic deal that was effectively curing Iran’s nuclear program—until Trump tore it up, over the objections of his then-Secretaries of Defense and State…The President is dragging us further and further into overseas quagmires while everyday Americans are weighed down by rising costs, disappearing jobs, and sputtering growth.”

Kaine does not exaggerate, insofar as ongoing polls indicate that Americans are more concerned than ever about rising health insurance costs and slow jobs growth.

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) issued a press statement on March 3, 2026 that reads in part:

“Donald Trump has launched America into a conflict with no clear objectives, no plan, and no authorization from Congress. The American people do not want an endless war that will cost billions and risk the lives of America’s sons and daughters. Congress has a duty to rein in Trump’s belligerence…Will you stand with American families who reject forever wars or stand with Donald Trump as he sleepwalks our country into wider conflict?”

Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) asserts that Congress alone can decide over whether or not to declare war, and that President Trump has not made his case before Congress. At this point, Schiff believes that the majority of Americans are more concerned about the rising costs of healthcare, groceries, and housing.

The WPR bills are largely similar in layout whether House Congressional Resolution 40, or House Congressional Resolution 38. Each primarily cites that per U.S. Code 50 USC 1547 per the last clauses that war must be authorized by Congress. House Representatives Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Thomas Massie (R-KY) introduced Iran War Powers Resolution bills H. Con Res. 38 in June 2025, but the most recent action for reconsideration occurred on March 5, 2026.

The House voted on H. Con Res. 38 on March 5, 2026, and it has been tabled, meaning it will not be reconsidered but will remain “unfinished business.” The vote on the motion to reconsider (Yeas to Nays) was 212 – 219. Nevertheless the fact that it was debated allowed for the wider public to become better informed as it was shown live on C-SPAN.

According to the text, Congress alone has the sole power to declare war. Congress had not declared war on Iran, so without such an authorization, the US Armed Forces must be removed by the President if the Congress so directs. Further, the WPR demands a termination of the use of such forces for hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran, since it is presently not under imminent attack. Finally it states that under Section 4: Rule of Construction Regarding No Authorization for Use of Military Force:

“Consistent with section 8(a)(1) of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1547(a)(1), nothing in this concurrent resolution may be construed as authorizing the use of military force.”

The debate followed presentations by federal legislators and leads one to believe that this is not the cut-and-dry decision that the President paints the war as. To date, the bill has 94 co-sponsors in the House. They include Reps. Khanna, Pelosi, Crockett, Raskin, Dingell, Green, Castro, Matsui, Waters, Chu, Garcia, Ocasio-Cortez, Tlaib, Pressley, Omar, Lee, Amo, and Delegate-At Large Norton.

It is a matter of debate whether the Trump administration ever plans to negotiate a new JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action for nuclear non-proliferation in Iran) to replace the 2015 JCPOA. Many skeptics believe that under the sway of his Israeli handlers, the goal is always, per the priorities of Israel, to collapse the Iranian regime and create a client-state that benefits the Western hegemony.

Of course the Trump administration released a statement urging his supporters to reject this Resolution in the House and the Senate, but for a matter of perspective, consider that both sides of the aisle for decades have issued carte-blanche when it comes to the Patriot Act, National Security, and military funding for war operations. Like previous administrations, the Trump administration can conduct war under the cover of “special military operations” and renew that every sixty days.

The fact is that Article II of the Constitution makes the president Commander-in-Chief, and President Trump is now able use all kinds of legal subterfuge. According to GovFact.org in “How Presidential War Powers Work Without Congressional Approval,” Trump can cite the actions of his predecessors: War in Libya; War on Drugs (such as in Panama or Colombia); 9/11 Emergency Authorization for Combatting Terrorism; any other outstanding authorization, such as the 2002 Iraq War Authorization. Arguably the balance-of-powers has already so broken down that today the U.S. president has the blanket power to “order operations anywhere in the world.”

According to the Manual on Unconventional Warfare published in 2010, many types and levels of covert operations have been conducted for decades. Before formal General War is declared, many seemingly disparate actions can take place to create threats that travel up the global escalation ladder. It can be as simple as information warfare, training and recruitment of cadres, founding front organizations, establishing color-revolution campaigns, paying for militarization, conducting so-called limited warfare, and so on.

But common sense tells one that diplomatic talks must resume if there is any peace to be had in a region that is exploding into a World War III scenario. There must be a leveling of the playing field also where inspection and examination of nuclear programs occurs. International analysts have noted how Israel boasts about having a nuclear bomb, yet the IAEA has never formally inspected nor approved of their program. Even the enfeebled United Nations Secretariat has spoken out against the new war on Iran.

Getting Involved

This is why despite insurmountable odds and increasing logistical difficulties in today’s economically and security-challenged society, more people of all nationalities, creeds, races, ethnicities, and religious beliefs should align with peace-activist grassroots organizations such as World Beyond War and National Iranian American Council to learn about why and how this new war in Iran affects Americans and fosters long-term economic threats that can actually collapse (not strengthen) U.S. trade relations and the petro-dollar.

Even if you cannot get out to a march or demonstration, you can visit WorldBeyondWar, visit the Iran Archives, and choose a petition to sign or write a letter to your legislators. Keep abreast of the news from your resistance news family, including radio archives at WPFW, KPFA, Democracy Now, and real community-funded newspapers.

Remember, the White House is still open to your right to express your freedom, speech, assembly, and opinion, but we must “embody the resistance” to preserve these “collective interdependent rights” as Eliana Rubin points out in a recent interview at KPFA about being Jewish and anti-Zionist/Nationalist.

Personal Addendum: Finding Forgiveness and True Peace

As the sages would say: “Inner Peace Creates Peace in the World.”

We should bolster ourselves from the inside out, just as Jesus, a revered teacher in both the Christian and Muslim world, taught in John (14: 22-31)

“Judas, not Iscariot, said to him, “Lord, what has happened that you intend to show yourself clearly to us and not to the world?”

“In answer Jesus said to him: ‘If anyone loves me, he will observe my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not observe my words. The word that you are hearing is not mine, but belongs to the Father who sent me.

“‘I have spoken these things to you while I am still with you. But the helper, the holy spirit, which the Father will send in my name, that one who will teach you all things and bring back to your minds all the things I told you. I leave you peace; I give you my peace. I do not give it to you the way that the world gives it. Do not let your hearts be troubled nor let them shrink out of fear. You heard that I said to you, “I am going away and I am coming back to you.” If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I am. So now I have told you before it occurs, so that you may believe when it does occur. I will not speak with you much more, for the ruler of the world is coming and he has no hold on me. But for the world to know that I love the Father, I am doing just as the Father has commanded me to do. Get up, and let us go from here.'”

Whether it is Christianity or Buddhism, the Golden Rule, “Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself,” means that we do not violate, abuse, harm, kill, or start wars of vengeance. It is a hard enough rule to practice in personal life, but such rule keeps communities together, and it demands recognizing the rights of nations to sovereignty, respect, dignity, and civility.

Op-Ed News by Christine H. Kroll, P.E., M.A.