Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has a message for President Donald Trump: threatening to wipe out a country is not a negotiating tactic, it is a war crime. And he wants Congress to do something about it.
On Tuesday, Sanders took to X with a clip from Trump's speech at the United Nations General Assembly, in which the president weighed reaching a deal with Iran against destroying the Islamic Republic outright.
"No, Mr. President. We should not 'annihilate' the people of Iran. That is a war crime. That is barbarism," Sanders wrote.
He added, "And it is something the United States must never be associated with."
Then came the kicker: "Let's be clear: Trump's war in Iran is illegal and unconstitutional. Congress must end it NOW."
Trump Weighs Iran Deal vs. Destruction
In the clip Sanders shared, Trump framed the moment as a fork in the road, saying he had a "big decision to make" over whether to pursue a deal that would allow Iran to rebuild or "annihilate the Islamic Republic."
"Will a deal be made with Iran that lets them rebuild and create a far greater country than it ever was before," Trump said.
"Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again?" he added.
Trump also said he could "drive them into hell with no chance of survival and no hope of future greatness or generations," before adding, "I believe we'll make a deal right after the election."
Democrats Criticize Trump
Sanders was not the only Democrat with something to say. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) criticized Trump for portraying himself as a peacemaker while threatening to "annihilate" an entire country, calling the remarks "sickening."
Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) said Trump threatened to "annihilate" Iran and warned that his "October surprise" must not involve a nuclear attack.
Markey also accused Trump of "inferring mass slaughter" and escalating an "arms race in the Middle East."
Iran Blames US For 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 also indicated he was open 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.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by MarketDash editors.
