This is a statement by Peace Action and Peace Action Education Fund President Kevin Martin.

Israel has attacked Iran once again, allegedly hitting dozens of targets including nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities, say Israeli officials. They also say this is not a one day attack, and that they have a high degree of confidence that the attacks, dubbed “Rising Lion,” took out senior Iranian military and nuclear officials. 

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a brief statement saying Israel acted unilaterally, and, unusually for a U.S. government statement, did not express support for Israel or its actions, stressing concern for U.S. military forces in the region, and that Iran should not target them. Numerous Member of Congress are wisely expressing grave concerns.   

This situation once again shows the limits of President Trump’s alleged skills as a deal maker. This problem lies at his feet, as he petulantly pulled the US out of the 2015 Iran anti-nuclear agreement, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) negotiated by President Obama, the U.N. and other nations with Iran, and approved by Congress. The JCPOA was by all accounts working to cap Iran’s nuclear program well short of attaining The Bomb. 

Reportedly, earlier this week Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the war in Gaza, and not to attack Iran. Clearly, that fell on deaf ears.The timing of the attack came just days before the sixth round of negotiations on a potential new deal to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability (which Iran has consistently disavowed it is seeking for well over a decade now) scheduled for Sunday in Oman. 

As our colleague organization NIAC (National Iranian-American Council) just stated, “The Israeli government has claimed this is a “preemptive” action, but the only thing they are preempting is a peaceful diplomatic solution, which was always the true threat to warmongers like Netanyahu. Iran was not attacking, nor was it building a nuclear weapon. This strike was UNPROVOKED and ILLEGAL under international law. It has needlessly put many innocent people in mortal danger. [emphasis by NIAC]” 

Needless to say, the region and the world cannot afford another war. Congress must make it clear the U.S. will not be dragged into the conflict by Israel, invoking the War Powers Act to re-assert its power over declaring war, which the Constitution specifically assigns to Congress, not the president. Trump, Rubio, and special Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff must use all available diplomatic levers to get Israel to cease and desist, and urge Iran not to retaliate, lest this dangerous situation spiral out of control. The U.N. and any other parties that can help de-escalate should be mobilized. 

Emergency protests have been called for tomorrow at the Israeli Embassy in Washington and JFK Federal Building in Boston, and others may be organized. And this Saturday’s nearly 2000 No Kings Day rallies across the US should include a call for peace, between Israel and Iran, and for an end to the genocide in Gaza.

The region and the world need peacemakers, now.

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