1. United States
2. Ill.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern and outrage over the current military conflict with Iran and the catastrophic consequences that were entirely foreseeable — and by all accounts, foreseen by experts who were apparently ignored. On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched coordinated airstrikes on Iran, targeting military facilities, nuclear sites, and leadership. Wikipedia What followed was not a surprise to anyone paying attention. Iran had already signaled potential disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz in the weeks prior, including a temporary partial closure as a warning. Wikipedia Despite these explicit warnings, this administration proceeded without any credible contingency plan for what has now unfolded. The results have been devastating. The Strait of Hormuz has experienced an effective halt in shipping traffic, with tanker traffic dropping by approximately 70% before falling to nearly zero. Wikipedia This is not a minor disruption — the Strait carries roughly one-fifth of the world's daily oil supply through a narrow maritime channel, and it has no functional substitute. The Conversation Alternate routes represent only about 17% of typical flow volumes, and no combination of available alternatives is capable of offsetting a sustained closure in the near term. Middle East Briefing The ripple effects on global supply chains are already being felt across nearly every sector of the economy. Beyond oil, roughly one-third of global fertilizer trade transits the Strait of Hormuz, and prices have already surged dramatically — with poor timing for the Midwest planting season for soy and corn. CNBC Industries including automotive manufacturing, consumer electronics, pharmaceuticals, and medical supplies are facing slowdowns or potential production halts. NBC News Major global shipping companies including Maersk, MSC Group, CMA CGM, and Hapag-Lloyd have restricted or halted bookings through the region entirely. NBC News This administration's negligence has not only endangered lives — it has isolated the United States from its allies and handed adversaries a strategic advantage. The conflict has materially improved Russia's competitive position in global crude oil markets, with both India and China now facing strong incentives to deepen reliance on Russian supply. Kpler Rather than strengthening our global standing, this reckless military action has accelerated our economic and diplomatic isolation on the world stage. The longer this disruption persists, the more significant and structural the economic damage will become. The Conversation American families will pay for this incompetence at the gas pump, at the grocery store, and in the prices of goods across the board. I urge you to use every tool at your disposal to hold this administration accountable, demand a clear exit strategy, and work urgently to restore stability before the damage becomes irreversible.