Kamala Harris accuses Netanyahu of 'pulling' Trump into Iran war: 'American people do not want this'

HUNTINGTON PLACE, DETROIT: Former Vice President Kamala Harris sharply criticized President Donald Trump over the Iran war and the alleged role of Israel in influencing his decision-making while speaking at the Women’s Caucus Luncheon on Saturday, April 18.

The United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on February 28 targeting Iran’s political and military leadership after nuclear negotiations collapsed. Her remarks came amid a fragile ceasefire, a US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran’s ongoing consideration of a US proposal on regional peace.

Kamala Harris blasts Trump over Iran war

Harris accused Trump of dragging the US into a conflict she said “the American people do not want.” She argued that the administration’s actions are placing US service members at risk while increasing economic burdens domestically.

“We are dealing with the most corrupt, callous, and incompetent presidential administration in the history of the United States. Period,” Harris said, adding that Trump “entered a war, got pulled into it by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, entered a war that the American people do not want, putting at risk American service members.”

Harris also pointed to rising consumer costs, stating, “On average, Americans are paying at least $15 more to fill up their tank. Diesel costs 50% more… and where do we think that cost is going to land? It's on the consumer.”

She further accused Trump of using the conflict as a distraction, calling it “his feeble attempt to distract from the Epstein files.” Addressing foreign policy, Harris said Trump had weakened alliances and global standing.

She stated that he had made the US appear “unreliable” in the eyes of allies and eroded its influence in upholding international rules such as sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“This president is the first president… since World War II, to abandon America's responsibility… to nurture and protect our alliances,” she said, adding that rebuilding credibility would be difficult but possible. Harris also expressed political confidence, stating, “We are going to win the midterms… but it is going to be difficult.”

In a previous post on X, Harris intensified her criticism, saying Trump was “threatening to commit war crimes and wipe out a ‘whole civilization’,” describing the war as a “disastrous” and “illegal war of choice.”

She added that his actions were “needlessly putting our brave service members in harm’s way” and worsening affordability for Americans.

Trump holds Situation Room talks on Iran crisis

Trump convened a White House Situation Room meeting to address the escalating crisis around the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing negotiations with Iran, according to reports.

This came as Iran’s renewed announcement to close the strait and reported vessel attacks followed less than 24 hours after Trump said a deal to end the war could be reached “within a day or two.”

It also signaled that without a breakthrough in the peace negotiations, the war could resume in the coming days. The meeting included Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

Also present were Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, special envoy Steve Witkoff, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine.

Despite progress in talks over Iran’s uranium enrichment and stockpile, tensions escalated again. Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump said Iran “got a little cute… they wanted to close up the Strait again,” adding that the country “can’t blackmail us,” while indicating the US would soon determine whether a deal would proceed.

US Central Command released an image showing the guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney patrolling as part of blockade operations, stating the blockade had “completely halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea.”

Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a warning that any vessel moving toward the Strait would be considered cooperating with “the enemy” and could be targeted.

It declared the strait closed until the blockade is lifted and instructed ships in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman to remain at anchor, warning that violations would face direct action.