US leaders split sharply as Trump’s Iran strikes draw nationwide reaction

Highlights:

• On February 28, 2026, the United States, under President Donald Trump, carried out joint military strikes with Israel against Iran. The attacks resulted in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and at least 201 reported fatalities, including children at a school in southern Iran.
• Iran responded with retaliatory strikes on Israeli and US bases in Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Kuwait.
• Reactions in the United States were sharply divided along party lines, while international leaders warned of potential escalation in the Middle East.

The United States and Israel conducted a joint military operation against Iran on February 28, 2026, resulting in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and at least 201 reported fatalities, including children at a school in southern Iran.

Iran responded with retaliatory strikes targeting Israel and US bases in Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Kuwait, says Al Jazeera.

Republican Support and Dissent
Many Republican leaders praised the operation as necessary to defend US interests.

• President Donald Trump said: "A short time ago, the United States military started major combat operations in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people."
   
• House Speaker Mike Johnson stated: "Today, Iran is facing the severe consequences of its evil actions. President Trump and the Administration have made every effort to pursue peaceful and diplomatic solutions in response to the Iranian regime's sustained nuclear ambitions and development, terrorism, and the murder of Americans—and even their own people."
   
• Senate Majority Leader John Thune added: "For years, Iran's relentless nuclear ambitions... have posed a clear and unacceptable threat to US servicemembers, citizens in the region, and many of our allies. I commend President Trump for taking action to thwart these threats."
   
• Senator Lindsey Graham said: "I fervently pray that we're on the verge of a new dawn in the Middle East, with historic opportunity for lasting peace and prosperity. As to our allies in Israel, President Trump and all under his command, your bravery has set in motion the end of evil and darkness, and the beginning of the light."
   
• Senator Tom Cotton commented: "Iran's missile program poses an imminent threat to the United States and our allies. I'm thankful President Trump is taking necessary action to protect our homeland."
   

Some Republicans expressed dissent:

• Representative Thomas Massie said: "I am opposed to this War. This is not 'America First.' When Congress reconvenes, I will work with Representative Ro Khanna to force a Congressional vote on war with Iran."
   
• Former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene said: "We said 'No More Foreign Wars, No More Regime Change!' Trump, Vance, basically the entire admin campaigned on it and promised to put America FIRST and Make America Great Again. My generation has been let down, abused, and used by our government our entire adult lives..."
   

Democratic Opposition and Support
Most Democrats criticized the strikes as unauthorized and dangerous, though Senator John Fetterman broke with his party in support.

• House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said: "Donald Trump failed to seek Congressional authorization prior to striking Iran. Instead, the president's decision to abandon diplomacy and launch a massive military attack has left American troops vulnerable to Iran's retaliatory actions."
   
• Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer added: "The administration has not provided Congress and the American people with critical details about the scope and immediacy of the threat. Unfortunately, President Trump's fitful cycles of lashing out and risking wider conflict are not a viable strategy."
   
• Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said: "The American people are once again dragged into a war they did not want by a president who does not care about the long-term consequences of his actions. This war is unlawful. It is unnecessary. And it will be catastrophic."
   
• Representative Rashida Tlaib stated: "The American people do not want a war with Iran. Trump is acting on the violent fantasies of the American political elite and the Israeli apartheid government, ignoring the vast majority of Americans who say loud and clear: No More Wars."
   
• Senator Bernie Sanders commented: "This Trump–Netanyahu war is unconstitutional and violates international law. It endangers the lives of US troops and people across the region. Congress must pass a War Powers Resolution immediately."
   
• Senator Chris Van Hollen said: "Trump is lying to the American people as he launches an illegal, regime-change war against Iran. This is endangering American lives and has already resulted in mass civilian casualties."
   
• Representative Ro Khanna added: "Trump has launched an illegal regime change war in Iran with American lives at risk. Congress must convene on Monday to vote on Representative Thomas Massie and my WPR [War Powers Resolution] to stop this."
   
• Senator Adam Schiff noted: "Trump is drawing our country into yet another foreign war that Americans don't want and Congress has not authorised. The Iranian regime is a brutal and murderous dictatorship. But that does not give Trump the authority to unilaterally initiate a war of choice."
   
• Former Presidential Nominee Kamala Harris said: "Donald Trump is dragging the United States into a war the American people do not want. Let me be clear: I am opposed to a regime-change war in Iran, and our troops are being put in harm's way for the sake of Trump's war of choice."
   
• Senator John Fetterman expressed support for the strikes: "Operation Epic Fury. President Trump has been willing to do what's right and necessary to produce real peace in the region."
   

Local Leadership

• New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani described the strikes as a "catastrophic escalation in an illegal war of aggression. Bombing cities. Killing civilians. Opening a new theatre of war. Americans do not want this."
   

Public and International Reaction

Public Opinion
An early YouGov poll showed 33% of US adults approved of the attack, while 45% disapproved. Approval was highest among Republicans (68%) and lowest among Democrats (10%).

Protests
Demonstrations occurred in Washington, DC, New York City, and other major US cities.

Global Response
UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned both the US-Israeli strikes and Iran's retaliatory attacks, warning of potential escalation in the region.

The US-Israeli operation against Iran has intensified regional tensions, with retaliatory attacks across the Middle East. In the US, political reactions are divided along party lines, though notable exceptions exist within both parties. Public opinion reflects limited support, and international figures caution against further escalation.