War in Iran cheat sheet
Let's provide some clarity about issues that have been raised regarding the War in Iran.
1. The President's action is not illegal or unconstitutional.
That's the opinion of Senator John Fetterman (D-PA), who said the War Powers Act "...has not been violated..."*1
The text of the War Powers Resolution, passed in 1975 requires:
- The President notify Congress before initiating action.
- The President provide briefings to Congress within 48 hours of action being initiated.
The position of both the Trump Administration and Sen. Fetterman was bolstered by video that surfaced from 2011 when then Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said the Obama Administration did not violate the Constitution or the War Powers Act when it launched military operations in Libya. Pelosi claimed the limited nature of the action justified her position, saying it would be different if there were "boots on the ground." The Obama Administration's attack on Libya involved air and naval power being used against Libya. Today (March 4, 2026), Secretary of War Hegseth clearly stated there are no boots on the ground in Iran, these are air and naval attacks that are occurring.*2
Furthermore, there are questions whether the President even has to comply with the War Powers Act. Secretary Rubio said "No presidential administration has ever accepted the War Powers Act is constitutional - not Republican presidents, not Democratic presidents."*3
Members of Congress have sued previous Administrations arguing violations of the War Powers Act and they have never won those cases.*4
2. There was an imminent threat justifying the attack on Iran
Anyone claiming there was no imminent threat from Iran is ignoring the fact that Iran has been at war with the United States since the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran took power in 1979. Attacks on the U.S. have been occurring regularly.
Most recently, Steve Witkoff was negotiating with Iran officials on behalf of President Trump prior to the attack. Mr. Witkoff said at the start of the negotiations the Iranian officials tried to establish leverage by saying they have 460 kilograms (1,014 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60%. That level of enrichment is important because it only would take 1 week to further enrich that uranium to weapons grade and 460 kilograms could be used to create 11 nuclear bombs.
The purpose of Trump's negotiations with Iran was to get them to agree to never build nuclear weapons and eliminate any capacity to do so. The Administration concluded the Iranians were not seriously negotiating, just stalling for time, and were going to attack first.
The attack Trump expected would only have been the latest of a long series of attacks by Iran since 1979 when, within months of taking power, 66 Americans were taken hostage by Iran. Since then, Iran has repeatedly called for death to America and death to Americans. These were not just words. Iran has directly and indirectly, through proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah, attacked America and Americans since the beginning of the Islamic Republic, starting in 1979 when 66 Americans were taken hostage by Iran. Since that time:*5
- 241 U.S. service members murdered in the 1983 Beirut barracks bombings
- 19 Americans killed in the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing
- 5 Americans were killed in the Riyadh bombing
- 17 American sailors killed in the 2000 USS Cole bombing
- Approximately 600+ U.S. troops killed in Iraq by Iranian-backed militias (2003-2011)
- 3 U.S. soldiers killed in a 2024 drone attack in Jordan carried out by an Iranian-backed militia
That list does not include:
- 43 Americans killed and 12 taken hostage when Hamas, funded by Iran, attacked Israel on October 7, 2023.*6
- Attempts by Iran to assassinate President Trump and others in 2024.*7
Contrary to claims by Democrats that there is no clear strategy, the President and the Secretary of War have outlined clear objectives.*8
- Eliminate Iran's nuclear threat
- Destroy Iran's missile capabilities - meaning destroy Iran's ability to launch nuclear weapons against other countries.
- Cripple Iran's navy
- Stop Iran from arming and funding proxy groups that have been killing Americans and others.
4. This will not be a forever war.
The objectives above are clear and can be achieved relatively quickly - the current accomplishments in the war demonstrate that.
Furthermore, the situation with Venezuela after the arrest of Nicolas Maduro demonstrates the Trump Administration's ability to carry out an objective and move forward. After Maduro was removed, the elected Vice President, Delcy Rodriguez, assumed the office of Venezuela's Presidency and the Trump Administration has been working with her to normalize relations. The US forces went in, accomplished the goal, and moved out. We should expect the same thing in Iran, with our military accomplishing the goals and leaving.
5. There is a bigger picture that should be considered also.
These are not the reasons for the attack on Iran but they are bonus benefits.
- Iran supplies drones that Russia uses to attack Ukraine. This will put a serious dent in Russia's war efforts.
- 13.6% of China's oil imports come from Iran.*9 China paid a considerable discount for the oil it purchased from Iran. That means China will have to find other sellers and pay more for oil in the future. This should effect China's saber rattling towards Taiwan.
- Iran has been a supporter of the Houthi's who have, in the past, been a threat to shipping in the Straits of Hormuz.
*2 Article on Pelosi video Note: Unlike her support for President Obama, Nancy Pelosi has denounced President Trump's attacks on Iran. A Pelosi spokesperson said "There is an absolute distinction between the limited military operations in Libya and the broad, escalating war with Iran initiated by President Trump." But if we look deeper at the facts, that statement doesn't hold up.
- President Obama attacked Libya to prevent the Government killing people who were protesting. The current attacks on Iran have clear goals (see item 3 below).
- The operations in Libya lasted 7 months and could have gone longer had the people of Libya not overthrown the Government. The military action in Iran, was estimated to take 4 weeks (NY Post) and has achieved one of its goals (crippling the Iranian navy) already.
*3 Courts have not enforced War Powers Act
*4 Iranian attacks on Americans
*5 Americans killed on October 7
*6 Iran assassins (note: this is a press release by the Biden DOJ)
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