1. United States
2. Utah
3. Letter

On June 13th, Israel launched attacks on nuclear and military sites in Iran with a stated goal of stopping the expansion of their nuclear program. Iran then retaliated with attacks on Israeli sites, escalating the conflict, and the two countries have continued to trade military strikes since. Leaders of the Group of 7 (G7) nations, an informal bloc of industrialized democracies, were quick to call for a de-escalation during their summit in Canada, though Trump initially did not want to sign onto the statement. He has consistently made inflammatory and unverifiable statements to the press and on social media about the conflict: calling for the evacuation of Tehran, threatening Iranian leaders, and hinting at the U.S. joining Israel in their push for a regime change in Iran. On the evening on June 21, Trump announced airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites, pulling the United States into a conflict initiated by Israel without the Congressional authorization required for a declaration of war. Trump's unconstitutional use of force endangers lives both abroad and domestically. U.S. involvement in this Iran-Israel conflict is painfully reminiscent of the 2003 Iraq War - questionable authorization, weapons of mass destruction misinformation, and goals of regime change. Congress must maintain its authority as a strong check on the executive branch and prevent the Trump administration from launching the U.S. into another endless war. Congress must do everything in their power to deescalate and block Trump's warmongering.