Key points
- Sanders introduces a bill to block US President Donald Trump from striking Iran
- Says Netanyahu’s reckless and illegal attacks violate international law and risk igniting a regional war
- G7 leaders call for “de-escalation” in the Middle East
ISLAMABAD: US Senator Bernie Sanders has introduced a bill to block US President Donald Trump from striking Iran as an escalating battle between Israel and Iran raised fears of a broader conflict.
Al Jazeera cited Bernie Sanders statement on X as saying, “Tonight, I introduced legislation to stop Trump from from leading us into an illegal war with Iran”.
Sanders’s “No War Against Iran Act” would prohibit the use of federal funds for any use of military force against Iran unless it has been specifically authorised by the US Congress, according to Al Jazeera.
Tonight, I introduced legislation to stop Trump from from leading us into an illegal war with Iran.
Another war in the Middle East could cost countless lives, waste trillions more dollars, and lead to even more deaths, more conflict, and more displacement. pic.twitter.com/CchHlSnLZy
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) June 17, 2025
Netanyahu’s war of choice
“Netanyahu’s reckless and illegal attacks violate international law and risk igniting a regional war. Congress must make it clear that the United States will not be dragged into Netanyahu’s war of choice,” Sanders, an independent who represents Vermont, said.
“Our Founding Fathers entrusted the power of war and peace exclusively to the people’s elected representatives in Congress, and it is imperative that we make clear that the President has no authority to embark on another costly war without explicit authorisation by Congress”, Al Jazeera reported.
While the bill has a number of Democratic co-sponsors, including Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, it is unlikely to become law, as Republicans control both the Senate and the House of Representatives, while Trump has veto power over legislation that comes across his desk.
Iran-Israel conflict
Tensions have escalated since Friday, with more than 224 Iranians killed and over 1000 injured, most of them civilians, Iranian media claimed. Israel claims 24 people have been killed, mostly civilians.
According to AFP, G7 leaders on Monday called for “de-escalation” in the Middle East, starting with the Israel-Iran conflict, as US President Donald Trump hastily left the group’s summit.
“We urge that the resolution of the Iranian crisis leads to a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza,” said the joint statement released by Canada.
