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Public disputes concerning the armed conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran that began on February 28, 2026, including its conduct, costs, casualties, legal authority and the public accounting of them.
Counts show individual statements. They do not assign an overall position.
5 statements on this page. Dates: February 28, 2026 to October 6, 2026
5 matching statements. Dates: February 28, 2026 to October 6, 2026
5 published statements. Dates: February 28, 2026 to October 6, 2026
5 published statements. Dates: February 28, 2026 to October 6, 2026
5 statements on this page. Dates: February 28, 2026 to October 6, 2026
Role at the time: U.S. senator from Vermont
Statement summary
Sanders condemns what he reads as Trump treating the destruction of Los Angeles and San Diego as an acceptable cost of the Iran war.
“the annihilation of two major American cities — more than 5 million people — is not a “small price to pay” for Trump's illegal war.”
Sanders rejects describing the destruction of American cities as a small price for the Iran war.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Relative to Trump's remarks about Los Angeles and San Diego, Sanders expressly rejects the cost comparison he attributes to the president.
Role at the time: U.S. Senator, Vermont
Statement summary
Bernie Sanders voted yea on H.Con.Res. 89, a vote to direct the removal of U.S. forces from unauthorized hostilities with Iran.
“On the Concurrent Resolution H.Con.Res. 89: A concurrent resolution directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.”
Official Senate roll call on H.Con.Res. 89, a concurrent resolution directing the President under section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran. Rejected 49-50 on September 24, 2026. Fetterman was the only Democratic nay; Republicans Collins, Murkowski, Paul and Tillis voted yea; Alsobrooks did not vote.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Voted to direct the removal of U.S. forces from unauthorized hostilities with Iran, a vote to end U.S. involvement absent congressional authorization.
Role at the time: U.S. senator from Vermont, in a post on X
Response to this claim
Sen. Bernie Sanders said Vance's statement that what is happening in Iran is not a war should be explained to the families of the 19 U.S. service members and the thousands of other people killed across the region.
“JD Vance said what’s happening in Iran is not a “war.” Please explain that to the families of the 19 U.S. service members who lost their lives or the thousands of people who have been killed across the region.”
Sanders' post on his X account, @BernieSanders. It responds to Vance's remark at the September 3 briefing and quotes another account's clip of Vance's answer.
Sanders rejects the not-a-war description as incompatible with the deaths the fighting has caused. He denounces the statement rather than only disputing a label, so condemns fits better than challenges the characterization.
Role at the time: U.S. Senator, Vermont
Statement summary
Bernie Sanders voted Yea on H.Con.Res. 86, the Senate resolution directing the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.
“On the Concurrent Resolution H.Con.Res. 86: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.”
Official Senate roll call on H.Con.Res. 86, directing the President under section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran. Agreed to 50-48 on June 23, 2026 — the first Iran war powers resolution to pass both chambers. Republicans Cassidy, Collins, Murkowski and Paul voted yea; Fetterman was the only Democratic nay.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)A yea vote supported directing the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran, opposing continued U.S. involvement in the war without congressional authorization.
Role at the time: U.S. Senator for Vermont at the statement date.
Statement summary
Sen. Bernie Sanders said in a February 28 statement that Trump had begun an illegal, premeditated and unconstitutional war, and that the Senate must reconvene to vote on a pending War Powers Resolution, which he said he will strongly support.
“We must not allow Trump to force us into another senseless war. No war with Iran.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders's office released this statement on February 28, 2026, after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)The case asks about support for the war in Iran. Sanders calls the war illegal and unconstitutional and says "No war with Iran", so we used Condemned.
