Bernie Sanders calls Trump-Netanyahu Iran strikes as 'unconstitutional,' urges war powers check

Sanders says Trump’s Iran action bypassed Congress, risks US troops and regional escalation, and calls for immediate congressional war powers vote
Bernie Sanders criticized Trump’s military strike on Iran, calling it unconstitutional (Getty Images, AP)
Bernie Sanders criticized Trump’s military strike on Iran, calling it unconstitutional (Getty Images, AP)


WASHINGTON, DC: Independent Senator Bernie Sanders spoke out against the US military strike on Iran on Saturday, February 28. He condemned both President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling the action “unconstitutional” and a violation of international law.

Sanders also warned that it put US troops and civilians in danger. While Sanders criticized the strike, some Iranian-American groups expressed support and thanked President Trump for the action.

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 04: Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) speaks as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. appears before a Senate Finance Committee hearing at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on September 04, 2025 in Washington, DC. The committee met to hear testimony on President Trump's 2026 health care agenda. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Sanders (I-VT) spoke at a Senate committee hearing as Robert Kennedy Jr appeared before the panel (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Bernie Sanders calls strike unconstitutional, warns of US risks 

Sanders wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "This Trump–Netanyahu war is unconstitutional and violates international law. It endangers the lives of US troops and people across the region." He added, "We've lived through the lies of Vietnam and Iraq. No more endless wars. Congress must pass a War Powers Resolution immediately."

The criticism was echoed internationally. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the strikes pose a serious threat to global peace and security. He urged world leaders to work together to pull the region “back from the brink” and prevent escalation.

US and Israel Launch Major Military Strikes on Iran (AP)
People watched smoke rise over Tehran after explosions on Saturday, Feb 28, 2026 (AP Photo)

Iran, Israel, and Iraq close airspace amid rising tensions



Following the strikes, Iran, Israel, and Iraq closed their airspace to protect civilian flights. Neighboring countries, including Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, and parts of Saudi Arabia, also imposed flight restrictions.

Airlines canceled and rerouted flights, creating widespread travel disruption. The closures reflect the heightened security risks and the potential danger to civilians amid the military conflict.

RELATED TOPICS US STRIKES IRAN

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Darline Graham, who championed the legislation, expressed pride in the law but stopped short of directly criticizing Donald Trump's decision
2026-10-18T06:30:42.000Z
JD Vance added that he would need to give the matter more thought, particularly after the 2026 midterm elections
2026-10-18T05:42:51.000Z
Joey Amor confronted JD Vance over military failures before an Iranian drone attack in Kuwait killed his wife, Nicole Amor, and five others
2026-10-18T05:03:42.000Z
Speaking at a rally on October 17, Donald Trump said the Department of War would invest the money in the California-based pharmaceutical company Antheia
2026-10-18T04:29:11.000Z
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents searched Democratic Rep Ilhan Omar’s Washington, DC, home on Monday, October 12
2026-10-18T03:53:57.000Z
Trump cited his decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico the 'Gulf of America' as an example of his increased power during his second term
2026-10-18T03:19:47.000Z
US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff traveled to Russia and Ukraine last month to begin talks aimed at ending the years-long conflict
2026-10-17T20:47:47.000Z
Vice President JD Vance acknowledged that reviving the economy would take time as the Trump administration worked to turn things around
2026-10-17T19:58:00.000Z
Judge Ana C Reyes reprimanded Trump's lawyers for removing park trees without notifying the court as previously ordered
2026-10-17T18:58:06.000Z
Trump reportedly reconsidered his candidates for key seats as Republicans fought to protect their slim majorities in the Senate and House
2026-10-17T17:31:48.000Z