Trump’s Illegal Strikes, Iran’s Response, and the War AIPAC Won’t Stop Fueling

This weekend, Donald Trump ordered direct military strikes against Iran, marking a dangerous escalation that puts the United States on the brink of another catastrophic war in the Middle East. While AIPAC-funded Republicans rushed to praise the decision and some Democrats merely complained about being left out of the loop, few are asking the most important question:

Why are we fighting Netanyahu’s war at all?

Netanyahu Lit the Match With U.S. Weapons and Trump’s Blessing

Let’s be clear: Israel, under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, launched the first strikes on Iran. These weren’t defensive maneuvers; they were preemptive attacks, carried out using American-made weapons, funded by billions in U.S. military aid, and supported by American intelligence.

As Netanyahu fired those opening shots, Donald Trump, despite public posturing about diplomacy, gave Israel the green light behind closed doors. Far from reigning in the aggression, Trump offered diplomatic cover while enabling military escalation.

This is not a spontaneous conflict. It is the result of years of foreign policy shaped not by the interests of the American people, but by a powerful lobby that has long demanded total, unquestioning support for the Israeli government, no matter the consequences.

Iran Strikes Back and the Path to War Widens

In response to these blatantly illegal strikes, Iran has already begun to retaliate. The most alarming move yet: Tehran is threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that handles 20% of the world’s oil supply. Blocking it would send global markets into chaos and nearly guarantee the outbreak of full-scale war.

But this isn’t just posturing. Iran has already fired on U.S. military bases in the region, echoing the immediate fallout of Trump’s 2020 decision to assassinate Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. That moment nearly dragged us into war then. This time, the consequences could be even worse.

With U.S. forces already being targeted and global tensions rising by the hour, the question isn’t whether we’re at war. It’s whether we’ll allow this to spiral into something even more catastrophic with nuclear powers involved.

Trump’s Reckless March Toward War

Whether Trump was manipulated by Netanyahu or acted out in arrogance, the outcome is the same. America is once again marching toward war, led by a man with no strategic vision and no concern for the lives at stake.

And the path to this moment was paved by AIPAC.

For decades, AIPAC has wielded enormous influence over U.S. foreign policy. Its agenda is clear: total allegiance to the Israeli government, no matter what. Even in the face of genocide. Through campaign contributions, aggressive lobbying, and the threat of political retaliation, AIPAC has made support for Israeli military policy a litmus test for both Republicans and Democrats.

That is how we end up with lawmakers from both parties, even Democrats like Senator John Fetterman, cheering Trump on as he drags the country toward another endless war.

The War Powers Resolution Is a Crucial First Step

There are still ways to stop this. In a rare act of bipartisan courage, Republican Rep. Thomas Massie and Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna have introduced a War Powers Resolution to block Trump from launching unauthorized military action against Iran. It is not just symbolic. The resolution is “privileged,” meaning Congress must vote on it.

And the momentum is real. Since the strikes, the number of co-sponsors has tripled.

This vote will force every member of Congress to show the world exactly where they stand:

With the American people, or with the same neocons who lied us into Iraq.

CAAC has teamed up with Win Without War and over a dozen progressive partners to pressure Congress to bring the Massie-Khanna War Powers Resolution to vote. You can help by taking 60 seconds to sign a letter to your member of Congress now.

But that’s just the beginning.

The Real Fight Is Breaking AIPAC’s Grip

Stopping this war is not just about one resolution or one vote. It is about finally confronting the outsized influence of AIPAC and the war lobby it bankrolls. Already, some elected Democrats are quietly signaling they want a new path, one that rejects blank-check militarism and foreign policy dictated by a single lobby.

They will need backup. Because as history shows, AIPAC does not let go easily.

It is up to us to keep the pressure on. To make sure every lawmaker knows we are watching. To expose who is cashing AIPAC checks while civilians are being killed. And to build a foreign policy grounded in peace, accountability, and the will of the people, not the demands of a foreign government.

This war is not inevitable. But stopping it will take a movement.

Take Action

Tell your members of Congress to support the War Powers Resolutions before the House and Senate right now.

You can sign and send your letters in just a few clicks: https://trackaipac.link/nowar