Progressive Lawmakers Condemn Trump’s Military Strike on Iran as ‘Illegal Regime Change War’
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In the wake of President Donald Trump’s recent military strikes against Iran, prominent progressive members of the House of Representatives swiftly voiced sharp criticism, condemning the action as an unlawful and dangerous escalation. Reps. Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, all members of the so-called “Squad,” decried the strikes as a reckless move toward regime change that threatens to inflame conflict in the Middle East and endanger American lives.
The strikes, conducted jointly by the United States and Israel, targeted Iranian nuclear and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps sites early Saturday morning, marking a significant escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran. President Trump, speaking from Mar-a-Lago, framed the strikes as a decisive response to Iran’s provocations and a message to the Iranian regime, but the move has sparked fierce debate over its legality and strategic wisdom.
Rep. Ilhan Omar, who fled Somalia as a child and has been a vocal advocate for diplomacy over military intervention, took to social media to condemn the attack. “Trump has launched an illegal regime change war,” she wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “As someone who has survived the horrors of war, I know military strikes will not make us safer; they will inflame tensions and push the region further into chaos. When we abandon diplomacy, we choose destruction.”
Omar’s remarks highlight a growing rift within the Democratic Party, where many progressives have long opposed U.S. military interventions abroad. Her colleague, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, echoed the sentiment, posting a response to a clip of President Trump acknowledging the possibility of American casualties. “He doesn’t care about our loved ones in the military,” Tlaib wrote. “He doesn’t care about the fact that Americans don’t want this war. He doesn’t care about the Iranian people. He is corrupted. Don’t fall for the lies.”
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also criticized the administration’s decision, warning that abandoning diplomatic efforts in favor of military action will have “catastrophic” consequences. Her comments reflect widespread concern among progressives that the strikes could destabilize the region further and provoke retaliatory attacks against U.S. forces and allies.
The strikes come amid a complex geopolitical landscape, with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reportedly targeted in the operation, according to Israeli officials. This has raised questions about potential power vacuums and the future stability of Iran’s government. The U.S. Department of State has emphasized the importance of protecting American personnel and interests while seeking to avoid broader conflict.
Meanwhile, the Department of Defense confirmed the use of Tomahawk missiles in the strikes, underscoring the military’s role in executing the operation. The Pentagon has stated that the strikes were intended to “blind and confuse” Iranian leadership, aiming to limit Iran’s nuclear capabilities and curb its influence in the region.
Despite the administration’s assertions, the legality of the strikes has been questioned by lawmakers and legal experts alike. The U.S. Congress holds the constitutional authority to declare war, and some members have criticized the Trump administration for bypassing this process. The House has seen bipartisan calls for greater oversight of the president’s war powers following the strikes.
The Council on Foreign Relations notes that past U.S. interventions in the Middle East have often led to prolonged conflicts and unintended consequences, warning that military action without a clear diplomatic strategy risks deepening instability.
As the situation develops, the sharp rebuke from progressive lawmakers underscores the deep divisions within the United States over how to address Iran’s regional ambitions and nuclear program. With tensions escalating, the coming days will be critical in determining whether diplomatic channels can be reopened or if the region will face further turmoil.
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