A view of a damaged building in the Iranian capital, Tehran, following an Israeli attack, on June 13, 2025. Firefighting teams are dispatched to the area. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has announced that Israel conducted strikes on Iran.
No War With Iran!
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 reassert its power over declaring war, which the Constitution specifically assigns to Congress, not the president.
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 members of Congress are wisely expressing grave concerns.
If Trump was sincere in his warnings to Israel not to attack Iran, this situation once again shows the limits of President Trump’s alleged skills as a dealmaker. This problem lies at his feet, as he petulantly pulled the U.S. 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.”
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 reassert 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 Friday 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 U.S. 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.
FINAL DAY! This is urgent.
Dear Common Dreams reader, It’s been nearly 30 years since I co-founded Common Dreams with my late wife, Lina Newhouser. We had the radical notion that journalism should serve the public good, not corporate profits. It was clear to us from the outset what it would take to build such a project. No paid advertisements. No corporate sponsors. No millionaire publisher telling us what to think or do. Many people said we wouldn't last a year, but we proved those doubters wrong. Together with a tremendous team of journalists and dedicated staff, we built an independent media outlet free from the constraints of profits and corporate control. Our mission from the outset was simple. To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. Building Common Dreams was not easy. Our survival was never guaranteed. When you take on the most powerful forces—Wall Street greed, fossil fuel industry destruction, Big Tech lobbyists, and uber-rich oligarchs who have spent billions upon billions rigging the economy and democracy in their favor—the only bulwark you have is supporters who believe in your work. But here’s the urgent message from me today. It’s never been this bad out there. And it’s never been this hard to keep us going. At the very moment Common Dreams is most needed and doing some of its best and most important work, the threats we face are intensifying. Right now, with just hours left in our Spring Campaign, we're still falling short of our make-or-break goal. When everyone does the little they can afford, we are strong. But if that support retreats or dries up, so do we. Can you make a gift right now to make sure Common Dreams not only survives but thrives? There is no backup plan or rainy day fund. There is only you. —Craig Brown, Co-founder |
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 members of Congress are wisely expressing grave concerns.
If Trump was sincere in his warnings to Israel not to attack Iran, this situation once again shows the limits of President Trump’s alleged skills as a dealmaker. This problem lies at his feet, as he petulantly pulled the U.S. 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.”
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 reassert 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 Friday 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 U.S. 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.
- Thousands Take to Streets Across US to Protest Trump's 'Reckless Acts of War' Against Iran ›
- U.S. House Makes Clear That There is No Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iran ›
- House Democrats Send Loud 'No War With Iran' Message to Trump With Passage of War Powers Resolution ›
- 'We Need Everyone in the Streets': More Than 180 Events Planned Across US to Protest Trump's March to War With Iran ›
- No to Disastrous War With Iran ›
- Thousands Across US Send Message to Trump: 'No Threats, No Bombs, No War With Iran' ›
- Opinion | There Is No Good Reason for the US to Attack Iran | Common Dreams ›
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 members of Congress are wisely expressing grave concerns.
If Trump was sincere in his warnings to Israel not to attack Iran, this situation once again shows the limits of President Trump’s alleged skills as a dealmaker. This problem lies at his feet, as he petulantly pulled the U.S. 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.”
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 reassert 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 Friday 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 U.S. 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.
- Thousands Take to Streets Across US to Protest Trump's 'Reckless Acts of War' Against Iran ›
- U.S. House Makes Clear That There is No Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iran ›
- House Democrats Send Loud 'No War With Iran' Message to Trump With Passage of War Powers Resolution ›
- 'We Need Everyone in the Streets': More Than 180 Events Planned Across US to Protest Trump's March to War With Iran ›
- No to Disastrous War With Iran ›
- Thousands Across US Send Message to Trump: 'No Threats, No Bombs, No War With Iran' ›
- Opinion | There Is No Good Reason for the US to Attack Iran | Common Dreams ›