Congress Must Stop Trump’s Illegal War on Iran

February 28, 2026 – In response to the launch of major U.S. and Israeli hostilities against Iran, Center for International Policy Executive Vice President Matt Duss issued the following statement:

“The U.S. and Israeli launch of a regime change war in Iran is a crime of aggression, one of gravest possible violations of international law. This illegal and unnecessary war of choice endangers millions of people across the Middle East, including tens of thousands of US service members. In seeking to topple the government of a country nearly four times the size of Iraq and with more than twice the population, President Trump has undertaken one of the most reckless military assaults in U.S. history.

Congress has neither declared war on Iran, nor authorized the president to engage the U.S. Armed Forces against it. There is no evidence of an imminent threat to the United States by Iran that warrants bypassing Congress and violating the Constitution. Trump himself confirmed the lack of an immediate danger with his statement that “we’re doing this, not for now. We’re doing this for the future.”

Congress must act urgently to restrain the president. Votes on measures to disengage U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran are expected next week in both chambers. Lawmakers should understand that these will be among the most consequential votes of their careers. 

Americans and their representatives must also be ready to hold the president and his administration accountable for this breach of U.S. and international law. The failure to hold past presidents liable for war crimes and related violations of our own laws has helped lead to this dangerous moment, with a seemingly unrestrained president endangering millions of lives with impunity. The forever wars and the imperial presidency must finally come to an end.”

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