Bernie Sanders warns of 'another period of global barbarism' over Trump’s Iran war

WASHINGTON, DC: Tensions surrounding the United States’ military action in Iran have intensified political divisions in the capital. Sen Bernie Sanders has strongly criticised President Donald Trump over the recent US military operation in Iran that began on Saturday, February 28 and was carried out jointly with Israel.

Democrats have also previously opposed Trump’s military actions carried out without congressional approval following the January operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Bernie Sanders criticizes Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu

Sanders called out Trump’s military action in Iran and warned about the global consequences of escalating wars. In a post on X, Sanders questioned whether the world was entering another era of violence and conflict.

“Are we entering another period of global barbarism?” Sanders wrote. He pointed to several ongoing wars and their human toll, saying, “Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, 500,000 dead. Benjamin Netanyahu’s war against the people of Gaza, 72,000 dead. Trump’s war in Iran, thousands dead already.”

In another post, Sanders criticised the funding priorities of the US government, saying there was not enough money for social needs while billions were being spent on the war.

Sanders wrote, “We’re told there’s not enough money for health care, affordable housing or education. But somehow there are billions for an illegal & unconstitutional war with Iran, We need a government that works for all of us, not the military-industrial complex, not Israel, not super PACs.”

Sanders also sharply criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling him an extremist and linking him to the current conflict. “Netanyahu is the extremist who killed 75,000 in Gaza."

"The extremist who said invading Iraq would create ‘enormous positive reverberations.’ The extremist who has pushed US presidents to go to war with Iran for decades. Finally, he found a president who said yes,” Sanders further said.

Political fallout, energy prices and war developments in Iran

Meanwhile, in Iran, state media reported that Mojtaba Khamenei has been named the country’s next supreme leader following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei. The announcement came hours after Israel launched fresh strikes that hit oil storage sites in Tehran.

Earlier, Trump had said that Khamenei’s son becoming the next leader would be an “unacceptable” choice. The political battle over the war also continued in Congress. On March 5–6, both the US Senate and House failed to pass a War Powers Resolution.

The Senate rejected the measure by a vote of 47–53, while the House voted 212–219 against a similar resolution. The outcome was seen as a major victory for House Speaker Mike Johnson and the Trump administration, allowing the military campaign to continue without new congressional approval.

Rising oil prices have also become a major political issue with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer calling on Trump to release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to help lower energy prices.

Schumer said, “The Strategic Petroleum Reserve exists for moments exactly like this, When wars and global crises disrupt energy markets, the United States has the ability to act, but President Trump and his administration are refusing to do so.”

Since the fighting began a week ago, gasoline prices have risen 47 cents, or 16%, reaching $3.45 per gallon according to AAA. Oil prices also crossed $100 per barrel on Sunday for the first time since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Schumer said American families were feeling the impact, “American families are suffering from higher prices as the effects of Trump’s reckless war become pain at the gas pump and beyond as high gas prices trickle down making everything more expensive."