By Paul Bean
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has taken a stance against potential U.S. military involvement in the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, introducing the “No War Against Iran Act” late Monday night.
The legislation, introduced last night (6/17), aims to prohibit the use of federal funds for military action against Iran without explicit Congressional authorization, a move that has sparked both support and controversy as tensions in the Middle East reach a critical juncture.
The bill follows Israeli military strikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets on Friday, June 13, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claiming the operations have set back Iran’s nuclear program “by a very long time.”
These strikes, including a notable attack on Iranian state television during a live broadcast on Monday, have increased collective anxiety over the regional conflict. Sanders’ legislation invokes the War Powers Resolution, allowing military action only in cases of direct self-defense or with Congressional approval.
In a statement accompanying the bill, Sanders warned, “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.”
Sanders added, “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 it clear the President has no authority to embark on another costly war without explicit authorization by Congress.”
He pointed to alleged reckless actions of Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing Israel of violating international law and risking a regional war that could pull the United States’ involvement. The “No War Against Iran Act” builds on a previous version introduced by Sanders in January 2020, co-sponsored then by Senators Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.).
Its reintroduction reflects growing unease about executive overreach, a pattern seen in the 2003 Iraq War, which proceeded without a formal declaration of war and was supported by groups like AIPAC.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has said they will continue operations until Iran’s nuclear threat is dismantled, while Iran maintains it has no intention of developing nuclear weapons. The cancellation of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, scheduled for June 15 and deemed “unjustifiable” by Tehran in light of Israeli actions, further complicates diplomacy.
Occurring just months into President Donald Trump’s second term, which began in January 2025. Trump, who has signaled a hardline approach toward Iran, has yet to comment directly on the legislation. However, his administration’s stance could be tested as Iran, through intermediaries, has reportedly expressed a desire to de-escalate, according to statements attributed to the president on Monday.
President Trump, who campaigned on a “no-new wars” platform has said that he wants Iran and Israel to not just have a cease-fire, but to “make a permanent deal.”
“Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign,” President Trump wrote yesterday (6/17) on his social media platform Truth Social. “What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran.”
Last night, President Trump also “retruthed” the image below featuring a tweet of his from 2016 during his campaign for presidency.
Responses on X to Bernie Sanders’ proposed legislation were mixed.
AIPAC Tracker on X (@TrackAIPAC) highlighted Sanders’ zero-dollar receipt from the pro-Israel lobby writing “Thank You Bernie” with the graphic below.
Song writer Lynn Carey Saylor wrote in response on X, “Give it a rest, Bernie. What side are you on? Trump tried negotiating with them for 60 days. Israel has had enough and is the country in the conflict with Iran, not us. Trump also apparently discouraged the idea of Netanyahu taking out the Supreme Leader. He’s been very measured about all of this. Trump doesn’t want us dragged into a war over there and you know it. Your legislation is nothing more than a stunt for attention. Try working with @POTUS for a change instead of against him every minute of every day.”