Dear John,

As we feared, Iran has struck U.S. military bases inside Iraq in retaliation for the Soleimani assassination and the escalatory cycle continues. We must do everything in our power to stop this.

While we know this is a scary, uncertain time, we hope you know NIAC and a community of allies in Congress, major advocacy organizations, and Americans across the country are with you - they do not want a war and care deeply about their Iranian American friends and neighbors.

Here are immediate actions you can take to help: 

• Call your lawmakers at 1-844-ACT-NIAC. Leave a message tonight urging them to pass War Powers legislation immediately to prevent Trump from attacking Iran. Make sure to mention what city you are calling from so they know you are a consituent. Then call tomorrow morning after 9am ET with the same message. Congressional action is in the works but we need to flood their phone lines to ensure they act swiftly. You can also sign our petition and share it widely with your networks.
   
• Join the national No War With Iran mobilization event on Thursday, January 9. This Day of Action is hosted by NIAC and our partners at MoveOn, Indivisible, Veterans Against the War, and Win WIthout War - our organizations collectively represent millions of members. We need them to turn out to help us build the massive grassroots movement necessary to stop the escalation. Find an event, or host an event, in your local area at www.nowarwithiran.org.
   
• Join us tomorrow night for a call we are co-hosting with Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Barabara Lee, and our allies at MoveOn, Indivisible, Veterans Against the War, and Win WIthout War to plan and outline next steps. RSVP here.

Thank you for your support and know that you are not alone in the struggle for peace. Read on for NIAC's full press statement we sent earlier regarding the strikes tonight and we will update you as more unfolds.

Jamal Abdi
Executive Director, NIAC Action

NIAC Statement on Iranian Missile Attacks on U.S. Bases in Iraq

NIAC is deeply concerned by reports of We condemn all military escalations by both the Iranian and U.S. governments that have led us to this tragic and avoidable point. It is not too late to pull back from a full-blown war. However, that window is closing rapidly. Congress must act immediately to halt hostilities and prevent Trump’s threats of massive retaliation, including bombing of Iranian cultural sites.

Donald Trump owns this 100%. He inherited a working nuclear deal and a tense but stable situation with Iran. He has deeply wounded the first major diplomatic initiative between the U.S. and Iranian government in decades, and listened to ideologues who convinced him to assassinate an Iranian general. At every step of the way, he has been warned he risked moving back on the path to war. Now that day may be here.

Our thoughts are with all the people who will be harmed by this senseless and needless conflict. It is ordinary Iranians, Iraqis, and people across the region who will bear a profound cost that can’t be justified. So too will American soldiers, and their families here at home, who will bear the consequences of yet another war that was thrust upon them by callous leaders. 

We call on the international community and the United Nations to do everything in its power to find a diplomatic resolution to these hostilities before the entire region erupts in war. 

We also remain deeply concerned about the Trump administration’s detainment of Iranian Americans at the border on the basis of national heritage and additional discriminatory actions against our community. We will remain vigilant amid the looming specter of war and safeguard our community’s rights.

Read NIAC's statement on the web >