Sylvester Stallone delivers blunt war verdict amid Iran conflict: 'Every war is stupid'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Actor Sylvester Stallone has a message about war, and he did not soften it.

The 'Rocky and Rambo' star took aim at the realities of military conflict in a New York Times interview published on Saturday, September 26, describing war as “futile” and “stupid” while questioning the interests that keep it going.

His comments come against the backdrop of the ongoing Iran conflict, adding fresh weight to his unusually blunt assessment.

Sylvester Stallone blasts war machine

Stallone's criticism went far beyond the battlefield.

The actor argued that huge amounts of money are tied to warfare and weapons manufacturing, while young service members are the ones sent into combat and left to deal with its consequences.

He painted a particularly grim picture of soldiers returning from battle with devastating injuries and receiving little support afterward.

His frustration was clear: he questioned why young people should be put through such destruction when the conflicts themselves can leave both sides suffering.

Stallone did not argue that countries should simply stand aside when attacked.

He made a distinction between starting a war and defending against an attack, saying a nation has to protect itself when it comes under assault.

But even then, he questioned what follows.

His concern was the cycle that can develop afterward, with countries carrying grudges while ordinary people pay the price.

In his view, continuing that cycle can result in destruction on both sides rather than a clean resolution.

Sylvester Stallone's evolving equation with Trump

Stallone’s comments on war come against the backdrop of an interesting relationship with President Donald Trump, particularly after the actor was pulled into the president’s plans for Hollywood.

Stallone had publicly backed Trump after his 2024 election victory and appeared at a Mar-a-Lago event where he praised the president.

Trump later announced Stallone, Jon Voight and Mel Gibson as special ambassadors tasked with helping bring Hollywood production back to the US.

Stallone, however, later revealed that the appointment was not something he had sought.

He said he had previously spoken with Trump and explained why he did not believe he was the right person for the job.

Stallone also said he was surprised to see his name included when Trump announced the initiative publicly. 

His explanation was that Hollywood’s problems were far more complicated than three actors could fix, particularly because major studios and corporate decision-makers control much of the industry.

The episode showed that Stallone’s connection with Trump did not mean he automatically embraced every proposal coming from the White House.

His latest remarks on war similarly focus on an issue he says he feels strongly about, even as his relationship with Trump has remained part of his public profile.