1. United States
2. Mass.
3. Letter

Nine days into the escalating war with Iran, the United States faces growing economic, humanitarian, and strategic risks. Congress cannot remain on the sidelines while the nation moves deeper into a potentially catastrophic conflict. Global energy markets are already reacting. Oil prices have surged above $100 per barrel and recently climbed past $115 amid fears that instability in the Persian Gulf could disrupt the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas shipments pass. Economists warn that the conflict risks triggering a global energy shock that could slow economic growth while driving prices higher — the classic conditions of stagflation. Americans are already feeling the impact. Gasoline prices have risen sharply in the past week, and economists warn that sustained oil prices above $100 could push inflation higher while weakening economic growth. If the conflict continues, analysts warn that oil prices could climb significantly further, raising the risk of recession in multiple regions of the global economy. The humanitarian consequences are equally alarming. A devastating strike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ primary school in Minab killed more than 160 people, most of them children. Video evidence and satellite analysis indicate that a U.S. Tomahawk missile struck a nearby Iranian military compound at the time of the attack. U.S. officials have acknowledged that the incident is under investigation, and international organizations have called for a full accounting of what occurred. If confirmed, this tragedy demands transparency and accountability. The United States must uphold the highest standards for protecting civilians in armed conflict. The war is also already costing American lives. Officials confirmed that at least seven U.S. service members were killed in an Iranian drone strike on a U.S. base in Kuwait. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has warned that “there will be more casualties” as the conflict continues. At the same time, the Pentagon reports that thousands of targets have already been struck and that the campaign may expand further. This raises serious concerns about escalation, mission creep, and the possibility of another prolonged war in the Middle East without clear limits or defined objectives. The Constitution grants Congress clear authority over matters of war and military funding. That authority exists precisely to prevent the United States from drifting into open-ended conflicts without democratic accountability. Congress should act immediately to: • Demand a full briefing on the objectives, scope, and legal basis of current military operations. • Require transparent reporting on civilian casualties, including the Minab school strike investigation. • Clarify the limits of U.S. military engagement and insist on a clear strategy to prevent escalation. • Exercise its authority over appropriations to ensure continued military action reflects the will of the American people. The United States must protect its security while avoiding a wider regional war that could cost many more American and civilian lives, destabilize global markets, and weaken our nation. Congress must reclaim its constitutional role and ensure that America does not slide deeper into another prolonged conflict without authorization, oversight, and a defined path toward de-escalation.