Democratic Senator moves to block unchecked US military action on Iran

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
16 Jun 2025 14:00
1 Shares

Senator Tim Kaine cautions that escalating war with Iran could repeat past mistakes, urging lawmakers to reassert their role in decisions of war and peace.

Listen

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., speaks during a news conference regarding President Donald Trump's pending tariffs on Canada, at the Capitol, April 1, 2025, in Washington (AP)

Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia has introduced a war powers resolution aimed at ensuring that any US military engagement with Iran is preceded by formal congressional debate and authorization.

In a statement released Monday, Kaine expressed deep concern over the escalating Israeli war on Iran, warning that it risks dragging the United States into yet another open-ended war in the Middle East.

“I am deeply concerned that the recent escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran could quickly pull the United States into another endless conflict,” Kaine said. He emphasized that the resolution would reinforce Congress’ constitutional authority over decisions to send US troops into combat.

“This resolution will ensure that if we decide to place our nation’s men and women in uniform into harm’s way, we will have a debate and vote on it in Congress,” he stated.

Kaine warns against another “Forever War” in the Middle East

Kaine cited the legacy of costly, prolonged US military entanglements in the region, arguing that the American public has no appetite for another such war.

While the resolution may resonate across party lines, its legislative path remains uncertain. Democrats currently do not hold a majority in the Senate, limiting their control over the chamber's agenda. Still, the proposal could force a critical debate.

Because war powers resolutions are considered “privileged” under Senate rules, Kaine’s measure must receive a vote within a designated timeframe, regardless of the chamber's partisan composition. That procedural status could bring the issue to the Senate floor even without Republican leadership’s support.

Earlier today, Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene sharply criticized members of her own party for supporting US involvement in the escalating Israeli war on Iran, accusing them of betraying the “America First” principles they claim to uphold.

In a lengthy post on X, Greene declared that “everyone is finding out who are real America First/MAGA and who were fake and just said it because it was popular,” suggesting a growing rift within the Trump-aligned Republican base over foreign policy.

Everyone is finding out who are real America First/MAGA and who were fake and just said it bc it was popular.

Unfortunately the list of fakes are becoming quite long and exposed themselves quickly.

Anyone slobbering for the U.S. to become fully involved in the Israel/Iran war…
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) June 15, 2025

Greene expressed opposition to what she sees as unconditional support for foreign wars, particularly in the Middle East, warning that US military involvement in the current Israeli war on Iran could have disastrous consequences. “Anyone slobbering for the US to become fully involved in the Israel/Iran war is not America First/MAGA,” she wrote, calling such positions “disgusting.”

Greene’s and Kaine's comments underscore growing divisions within the US leadership. Both remarks suggest a populist shift toward non-interventionism that could challenge the coherence of Trump's foreign agenda.

Wider context

On the night of June 13, the Israeli occupation military launched a large-scale aerial aggression against Iran. The attacks, led by the Israeli Air Force, struck residential buildings, civilian infrastructure, military sites, and nuclear-related facilities, including those in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. Iranian media reported the martyrdom of several high-ranking military officials, nuclear scientists, and tens of civilians in the strikes.

The Israeli entity claimed the attacks were launched to neutralize what it described as an imminent threat to its existence, alleging that Iran was nearing the "point of no return" in developing nuclear weapons. In response, Iran launched Operation True Promise 3, targeting Israeli occupation military positions in a retaliatory strike.

Tehran formally notified the United States, France, and the United Kingdom of its intent to launch broader strikes inside Israeli-occupied territory if aggression continues. Russia also weighed in, strongly condemning the Israeli attacks and labeling them “categorically unacceptable".