In a fiery Senate address, Vermont Senator Peter Welch has fiercely condemned the devastating civilian toll from U.S.-Israeli strikes in Iran and Lebanon, calling the conflict a “war of choice“ that must end now to halt the mounting deaths and economic fallout gripping America and the world.
Welch’s remarks, delivered amid escalating tensions, paint a grim picture of President Trump’s military campaign, now 46 days old, as a reckless escalation that has spiraled out of control. He accused the administration of ignoring Congress, allies, and its own promises to avoid Middle East quagmires, leading to widespread instability. From Iraq to Saudi Arabia, the war’s ripple effects are fueling chaos, with oil prices soaring from $70 to over $120 a barrel, directly burdening American families.
The economic strain is immediate and unforgiving, Welch warned. U.S. households face an extra $2,000 annually on gas, while Vermont families brace for $1,000 more in heating costs. Rural farms are reeling from fertilizer prices jumping from $400 to $700 a ton, thanks to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Globally, the IMF predicts a 2% drop in economic growth, pushing the world toward recession and spiking food prices, with wheat costs up 70% in famine-threatened Sudan.
This crisis stems from flawed decisions at the top, Welch asserted. Trump disregarded expert advice, instead heeding Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s assurances that bombing would swiftly topple regimes and keep trade routes open. That gamble has backfired spectacularly, creating a supply chain nightmare, including helium shortages disrupting the semiconductor industry vital to everyday technology.
The human cost is staggering and indefensible. U.S. and Israeli forces have unleashed over 23,000 strikes, dropping 18,000 bombs in a barrage more intense than early ISIS campaigns. In Iran alone, 60 hospitals and 44 schools have been hit, including a girls’ school that shocked the world. Civilian targets like bridges, pharmaceutical plants employing 200,000, desalination facilities, and even synagogues in Tehran have been destroyed, killing thousands.
On average, 10 children die daily in these attacks, with nearly 40% occurring in Tehran’s crowded urban zones. Welch highlighted that 95% of bombing victims are civilians, turning the Iranian people—whom Trump claimed to protect—into unintended enemies. This indiscriminate warfare echoes Vietnam’s tragic errors, where destruction was justified as salvation.
Welch urged immediate action, backing Senator Sanders’ resolutions to block U.S. weapon shipments to Israel, including bombs and bulldozers used to raze Lebanese villages. These measures, he argued, would force Congress to fulfill its constitutional duty on war decisions, debating whether to continue this misadventure that only empowers adversaries like Iran’s Ayatollahs.
The Ayatollahs have gained leverage, Welch noted, as Trump’s bombs have shifted global narratives from regime oppression to resistance against U.S. aggression. Empty threats from the White House fall flat, as Iranian leaders prove willing to sacrifice their nation to retain power, further entangling the world in economic peril.
With a fragile ceasefire in place, Welch called on colleagues to support these resolutions today, emphasizing that halting arms flows could extend peace and prevent more needless loss. The war, born of haste and hubris, is making Americans less secure while inflicting pain at home and abroad.
As tensions mount, Welch’s voice rings as a urgent call to reason, demanding that leaders prioritize diplomacy over destruction. The path forward requires bold steps to de-escalate, or the cycle of violence will only deepen, 𝓉𝒽𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓉𝑒𝓃𝒾𝓃𝑔 global stability for years to come.
In this pivotal moment, the Senate’s decision could redefine U.S. foreign policy, steering away from endless conflicts toward a more secure future. Welch’s plea underscores the human and economic stakes, urging swift action before more lives are lost in this avoidable catastrophe.