Democratic lawmakers criticize Israel's defensive strikes against Iran's nuclear sites

Democratic senators voiced concern over Israel's strikes in Tehran targeting Iran's nuclear sites with mixed reactions after retaliatory missile attacks on Tel Aviv.

Residents watch a damaged apartment in Tehran, Iran, early Friday, June 13, 2025. Israel attacked Iran's capital early Friday, with explosions booming across Tehran.  (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

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"The world is more dangerous and unstable as a result of the extremist Netanyahu’s government ongoing defiance of international law," Sanders wrote. "First, he uses the starvation of children in Gaza as a tool of war, a barbaric violation of the Geneva Conventions. Now, his illegal unilateral attack on Iran risks a full-blown regional war."

Sanders added the strikes "directly contravened" U.S. interests in resolving long-standing tensions over Iran’s nuclear program. 

Security personnel react after a missile attack from Iran on Israel, in Tel Aviv, Israel, June 13, 2025. (Reuters/Itai Ron )

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By Friday afternoon, some Democrats seemingly changed their tune in response to the counter-attack.

Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., slammed Iran's response, calling it "cowardice."

"#Israel’s strike on #Iran was targeted precisely at senior Iranian military commanders and military sites that posed an existential threat to Israel," Sherman wrote. "The Islamic Republic’s response? To target civilian centers in #TelAviv. Unsurprising cowardice from a regime that has spent decades brutalizing its own people."

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Others evaded the conversation all together.

"This is a rapidly evolving situation, and it’s critical that the United States works with our allies and avoid steps that will cause further escalation across the region," Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., wrote in a statement. "For years, Iran has threatened the safety of Israel and the region, and Israel has an undeniable right to defend itself and its citizens."

Alexandra Koch is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital. Prior to joining Fox News, Alexandra covered breaking news, crime, religion, and the military in the southeast.

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