WASHINGTON, D.C. June 16, 2026 — U.S. Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), the only Iranian-American member of Congress, sharply criticized President Donald Trump on Tuesday, accusing him of breaking his promise to the Iranian people and launching a “reckless, illegal war” that has left thousands of civilians and 13 Americans dead.
In a video posted on X (formerly Twitter), Ansari responded to Trump’s earlier statements urging Iranian protesters to continue demonstrating with the assurance that “help is on the way.” She called the claim false and argued that the conflict has worsened conditions inside Iran.
“Donald Trump’s claim that ‘help is on the way’ for Iranian people was always bullshit,” Ansari said. “He’s a pathological liar who knows nothing about foreign policy. Now thousands of innocent civilians and 13 Americans are dead. Everyone is worse off because of his reckless, illegal war.”
Operation Epic Fury began on February 28, 2026, as a joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, missile sites, naval assets, and leadership. U.S. and Israeli strikes killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior officials in the early days of the operation.
The operation aimed to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, ballistic missile capabilities, and support for proxy groups. U.S. officials described it as a success in degrading Iran’s military infrastructure and reopening the Strait of Hormuz after a ceasefire. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks across the region, leading to reported civilian casualties and disruptions.
The White House has maintained that the operation achieved its core objectives, including significant damage to Iran’s ability to threaten the U.S. and its allies. Trump administration statements highlighted the elimination of a long-standing threat responsible for attacks on Americans dating back decades.
Critics, including Ansari, have called the action unauthorized by Congress and argued it entrenched a more hardline regime in Tehran while causing humanitarian suffering. Ansari has repeatedly described the war as “illegal” and pushed for congressional action or invocation of the 25th Amendment against Trump.
The post drew strong backlash from supporters of the operation, who pointed to Iran’s history of proxy attacks killing Americans and the regime’s domestic repression. Some replies accused Ansari of sympathizing with the Iranian regime.
As of mid-June 2026, a tentative ceasefire and memorandum of understanding are in place, though tensions remain high with negotiations ongoing. Oil markets, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and regional stability continue to be affected.
Rep. Ansari represents Arizona’s 3rd Congressional District and has been vocal on issues affecting Iranian-Americans and U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East throughout the conflict.
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