Ilhan Omar calls Trump’s potential Iran strike ‘illegal’ as he urges Tehran to negotiate a deal

WASHINGTON, DC: Rep Ilhan Omar is warning against what she described as an “illegal” potential US strike on Iran, arguing that Congress, not the president alone, holds the constitutional authority to decide whether the country goes to war.

Her comments come as tensions escalate between Washington and Tehran, with President Donald Trump signaling that military action remains on the table if negotiations fail.

The remarks follow renewed hostilities in the region and growing debate in Washington over how far the administration can go without explicit congressional authorization.

Omar says Congress must prevent war with Iran

Omar’s criticism centers on the constitutional role of Congress in declaring war. Lawmakers from both parties have, in past conflicts, debated the limits of executive authority when it comes to military action abroad.

Omar argued that bypassing Congress would violate that balance and risk dragging the US into another prolonged conflict in the Middle East.

In a post on X, she wrote, “The American people do not want war.”

“Trump is threatening an illegal strike on Iran. This will do nothing but bring needless death and destruction.”

“We cannot let warmongers override Congress's power. No war with Iran.”

Her statement reflects concerns among progressive Democrats who say American voters are weary of foreign wars after decades of involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. By framing the issue as both a constitutional and public mandate, Omar underscored what she sees as Congress’s duty to act as a check on executive power.

Trump says Iran must negotiate a fair deal

Asked by a reporter whether he had a message for the Iranian people, Trump first sought clarification.

“The Iranian people in Iran or people here?” he responded.

When told the question referred to those in Iran, Trump said, “They better negotiate a fair deal."

Trump drew a distinction between Iran’s leadership and its citizens. “The people of Iran are a lot different than the leaders of Iran,” he said, calling the situation “very, very sad.”

He also referenced reports of significant casualties in the region, stating that “32,000 people were killed over a relatively short period of time,” highlighting the human cost of instability.

On Thursday, Trump said the world would find out “over the next, probably, 10 days” whether a deal would be reached or the US would take military action.

The US has been increasing its military presence in the region in recent weeks. US officials and European allies have long suspected that Iran is moving toward the development of a nuclear weapon, an allegation Tehran has consistently denied.

As tensions rise, the clash between executive authority and congressional power is once again at the center of Washington’s foreign policy debate.