Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) condemned President Donald Trump’s recent remarks regarding Iran, labeling the suggestion to "annihilate" the Islamic Republic as a war crime and barbarism. Sanders asserted that such actions are illegal and unconstitutional, demanding immediate congressional intervention to end the conflict.

Sanders condemns Trump's UN speech

On Tuesday, Sanders posted on X, referencing a clip from Trump’s address at the United Nations General Assembly. In the speech, Trump weighed pursuing a peace deal against destroying Iran. Sanders stated, "No, Mr. President. We should not 'annihilate' the people of Iran. That is a war crime. That is barbarism." He emphasized that the United States must never be associated with such actions.

Sanders further argued that Trump’s war in Iran is illegal and unconstitutional, urging Congress to end it now. The Senator’s comments follow Trump’s public contemplation of drastic measures against Tehran, including economic collapse or leadership elimination if no deal is reached.

Democratic leaders criticize rhetoric

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) criticized Trump for portraying himself as a peacemaker while threatening to annihilate an entire country. Schumer described the remarks as "sickening" and noted the contradiction in Trump's self-image as a Nobel Peace Prize contender.

Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.) warned that Trump’s "October surprise" must not involve a nuclear attack. Markey accused Trump of inferring mass slaughter and escalating an arms race in the Middle East through these threats and assistance to Saudi Arabia.

Iran blames US for regional crisis

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei criticized the Trump administration, accusing U.S. officials of blaming Tehran for record-high fuel prices and the Strait of Hormuz crisis. Last week, Trump warned that Iran could face economic collapse or have its leadership wiped out if it refused to reach a deal with Washington.

Trump indicated openness to meeting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, while Iran’s military warned that any new U.S. attack would trigger sustained retaliation against U.S. bases and interests.

Trump reported that Steve and Jared held a "very productive meeting" with mediators of Iran, signaling continued diplomatic progress. He added, "We will see what happens with that," following earlier statements about "a lot of momentum" for a deal.

Shift in diplomatic tone

The latest remarks present a more optimistic outlook compared to the previous position. While Trump previously noted that Iran lacked readiness for a deal, he now highlights positive momentum in negotiations. He also reiterated his expectation that the ongoing conflict will conclude in the near term.

This update contrasts with his earlier assertion that Iran was not ready for a diplomatic agreement. The specific involvement of Steve and Jared in discussions with mediators adds concrete detail to the general sentiment of "doing something good."

Unspecified framework

No specific timeline, conditions, or negotiating framework were disclosed alongside these updated remarks. The comments reflect the evolving state of diplomatic tensions involving Iran, with no further details provided on the nature of the deal being referenced or the conflict in question.