1. United States
2. N.C.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to take immediate action to end the war with Iran and pursue a diplomatic solution. This war is already costing the United States an enormous amount of money. The Department of Defense has acknowledged costs of approximately $37.5 billion, while independent estimates put the direct additional cost closer to $40 billion—and the financial burden continues to grow. That is money that could instead be invested in our communities, infrastructure, healthcare, education, and the security of our country. Just as troubling is the damage this conflict is doing to America's standing in the world. Our military actions are straining relationships with traditional allies, encouraging countries to pursue greater independence from U.S. leadership, and making it more difficult for America to build the international cooperation we need to address global problems. The war is also disrupting energy markets and shipping routes, creating economic consequences far beyond the Middle East. War has consequences that cannot be measured simply in dollars or military objectives. It puts lives at risk, destabilizes entire regions, displaces innocent people, and leaves consequences that can last for generations. Please support an end to this war and make diplomacy—not continued military escalation—the priority of American foreign policy. Our country needs leadership that recognizes when the costs of war have become greater than any possible benefit. I urge you to work toward peace before more lives, resources, and our international credibility are lost.