Bernie Sanders: War on Iran, Like Wars in Vietnam and Iraq, Built on a Lie - Sarmad

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders said the war with Iran is “built on a lie,” comparing it to the wars in Vietnam and Iraq.

During a press conference on Capitol Hill with Senator Elissa Slotkin, as part of their call for a serious discussion about the direction of the Democratic Party following last week’s midterm elections, Sanders said: “The Vietnam War was built on a lie, the Iraq War was built on a lie, and the war with Iran is built on a lie, in my opinion.”

Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Senate Democrats, had previously made a similar argument in writing, including in an agenda for the midterm elections that described the “current war in Iran” as being based on a lie.

In the same response, Sanders pointed to U.S. military aid to Israel, saying it is “certainly a very sensitive issue for tens of millions of people,” adding that “these are issues that need to be discussed and examined,” as Washington and Israel seek an agreement to cut direct military aid in half after 2028.

Sanders later listed “endless wars” among the issues he wants the Democratic caucus to discuss, alongside healthcare, taxes on billionaires, and artificial intelligence.

The press conference was primarily held to discuss Democratic leadership in the Senate, with Sanders stating he would not support the reelection of New York Senator Chuck Schumer as Democratic leader, despite their friendship of more than 30 years.

Sanders said: “In my view, now is the time for change, and I will not support Chuck’s reelection as Democratic leader.”

Slotkin, a Democrat from Michigan, said she is “not seeking this position” but is “seeking change,” and that she would be “against even until” a candidate presents a “concrete and distinctly different plan,” suggesting that colleagues should block a quorum if only one candidate emerges without such a plan.

Sanders said Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen has shown some interest in running.