Bernie Sanders moves to block U.S Involvement in Israel-Iran conflict

DDM News

Amid growing fears of a broader war in the Middle East, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders has made a bold legislative move.

DDM reports that on Saturday, the independent senator from Vermont revealed plans to introduce a bill that would prevent any American military action against Iran unless explicitly authorized by Congress.

Sanders made the announcement via a post on X, formerly Twitter, warning that “The United States must not be drawn into Netanyahu’s illegal war against Iran.”

His proposed legislation would include an exception for acts of self-defense but aims to block any offensive military intervention by the United States without congressional approval.

The move comes as tensions between Israel and Iran escalate dramatically, raising concerns that the United States could be dragged into a regional war.

On Friday, Israeli forces reportedly launched a surprise wave of airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear and missile infrastructure.

The operation is believed to have killed several high-ranking Iranian military officers and nuclear scientists.

In response, Iran retaliated the same night with waves of ballistic missiles and drone attacks aimed at Israeli urban centers.

By Saturday, Iranian authorities confirmed that at least 78 people had been killed and over 320 injured in the conflict’s latest escalation.

According to reports by Turkey’s Anadolu Agency, the rapid deterioration in regional security has raised alarm in Washington.

While the Biden administration has advocated de-escalation and warned against further military provocations, critics argue that sustained U.S. support for Israel risks entangling America in a war it did not initiate.

Sanders, a longtime critic of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s aggressive military tactics—especially in Gaza—issued a strongly worded statement condemning the Israeli strike.

He referred to the assault as “unilateral” and “illegal,” stressing that Netanyahu acted without regard for international law or long-term stability.

The senator warned that Israel’s actions could plunge the entire Middle East into war and create a catastrophe with lasting consequences for the U.S. and its allies.

“Congress must reassert its constitutional authority over matters of war and peace,” Sanders stated.

He emphasized that the President does not have the right to unilaterally engage in military conflict without Congressional authorization, particularly in a region as unstable as the Middle East.

This legislative effort comes as American lawmakers remain sharply divided over how to approach U.S. policy in the Middle East.

While some Republican and Democratic hawks support continued alignment with Israel, others are increasingly questioning the consequences of such unwavering support.

Analysts say Sanders’ bill may struggle to gain bipartisan traction but reflects growing concerns among progressives about America’s role in fueling global conflicts.

Recent history adds weight to these fears.

The Iraq War, initiated in 2003 under President George W. Bush without fully informed Congressional consensus, led to years of deadly instability, costing thousands of American lives and trillions of dollars.

Sanders and his supporters fear a repeat of that scenario if Congress does not act quickly to place legal boundaries on executive military powers.

In past years, efforts to curb presidential war powers, such as repealing the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF), have failed to gain enough momentum.

However, with fresh violence and geopolitical instability now erupting between Israel and Iran, the political calculus may be shifting.

Observers also note the timing of the Israeli strikes raises questions about Netanyahu’s political motivations.

Facing internal dissent, legal challenges, and international condemnation over human rights abuses in Gaza, some believe Netanyahu is using military action to galvanize nationalist support.

The Israeli Prime Minister has not publicly commented on the Iranian retaliation or Sanders’ accusations of illegality.

Meanwhile, international actors including the European Union, Russia, and China have issued calls for calm and urged both Israel and Iran to exercise restraint.

The United Nations Security Council is reportedly preparing an emergency session to address the crisis.

Within the United States, voices across the political spectrum are beginning to question whether Washington can afford another military engagement in the Middle East.

Military analysts warn that any American involvement, even limited, could lead to unpredictable consequences, including global economic disruptions, oil price hikes, and the destabilization of U.S. interests across the region.

Sanders’ legislation marks an attempt to halt that momentum before it’s too late.

He insists that a democratic nation must not allow its foreign policy to be dictated by a foreign leader’s militarism, especially when American soldiers and taxpayers may be the ones to bear the cost.

While the Senate has yet to officially take up the bill, its introduction is expected to reignite debates over executive war powers, Israel-U.S. relations, and the broader role of Congress in authorizing conflict.

As of now, the Biden administration has not issued an official response to Sanders’ proposal but continues to walk a tightrope between supporting Israel and avoiding direct military entanglement.

The coming weeks will reveal whether Sanders’ warning becomes a pivotal moment, or another missed opportunity to prevent war.

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