Bernie Sanders says Netanyahu is wrong on Iran and Iraq, warns U.S. must not get involved in Israel’s war with Iran.

Sanders Denounces Netanyahu’s Record and Warns Against U.S. Involvement

Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., sharply criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a statement released Thursday, asserting that Netanyahu was “wrong” in both past and present foreign policy stances. Sanders referred to Netanyahu’s 2002 testimony before the U.S. Congress regarding Iraq, in which the Israeli leader advocated the removal of Saddam Hussein, predicting “enormous positive reverberations” for the Middle East and insisting that Iraq sought nuclear weapons.

“Netanyahu was wrong. Very wrong. The war in Iraq resulted in 4,492 U.S. military deaths, over 32,000 wounded, and a cost of roughly three trillion dollars. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis also died as a result of that tragic war,” Sanders said in his statement. He continued, “Netanyahu was wrong regarding the war in Iraq. He is wrong now. We must not get involved in Netanyahu’s war against Iran.”

Trump Considers U.S. Response as Israel Targets Iran

Sanders’ remarks come as President Donald Trump weighs possible U.S. military intervention amid escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. While Israel pursues efforts to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, the White House has not ruled out American involvement. According to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, Trump stated, “Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks.”

President Trump has repeatedly emphasized his opposition to a nuclear-armed Iran. In a Truth Social post, he wrote, “AMERICA FIRST means many GREAT things, including the fact that, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”

The debate reflects lingering questions in Washington over U.S. involvement in Middle East conflicts. Sanders’ pointed criticism of Netanyahu’s record on Iraq and current calls for restraint highlight divisions among American leaders over foreign policy, particularly as the possibility of renewed U.S. military engagement in the region looms.

With negotiations with Iran uncertain and military escalation a constant risk, the administration faces mounting pressure from voices in Congress to avoid repeating what Sanders calls the tragic mistakes of the Iraq war. The coming weeks are expected to be decisive for both U.S. policy and the direction of the conflict.