Local leaders, community react to U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran

Hours after the U.S. and Israel launched a major attack on Iran on Saturday,  in what President Donald Trump said was a massive operation to destroy the country’s military capabilities, political leaders and community members shared their thoughts.

Sen.John Fetterman (D-Pa.) voiced support for the operation on social media, saying in part:

“President Trump has been willing to do what’s right and necessary to produce real peace in the region.”

Operation Epic Fury.

President Trump has been willing to do what’s right and necessary to produce real peace in the region.

God bless the United States, our great military, and Israel.

— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) February 28, 2026

Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) released the following statement:

“Americans don’t want to go to war with Iran. 

By launching strikes, President Trump has made the same dangerous and foolish decision President Bush did a generation ago. He put Americans in harm’s way without clearly showing there’s an imminent threat to our national security. He put the Iranian people in harm’s way by calling on them to rise up without a broad coalition of partners to assist in their protection. And Trump once again started a cycle of violence that has already escalated and could spiral out of control. This is unacceptable. 

The Senate should vote on Senator Kaine’s War Powers Resolution immediately.

I stand ready to do so today.”

During an interview on CNN, Kim added, “How many times do the American people need to wake up in the morning and see this president dragging us into another conflict…I have zero confidence in this president who has so flagrantly violated our Constitution. That is why we should have Congress immediately go back into session for the War Powers vote, to reassert the American people’s will.” 

Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) released an official statement reading as follows:

“I am praying for the safety of our service members and the many civilians in the Middle East in harm’s way today. President Trump’s military campaign against Iran and call for regime change are the beginning of a reckless new war of choice with no clear strategy and no clear endpoint. This is not how a democracy goes to war. Less than five years after the end of the longest war in American history, the United States is once again staring down another open-ended conflict with a hostile country in the Middle East that could cost the lives of many American service members. This is not a limited, defensive strike, but rather a full-throated declaration of war that does not clearly serve the interests of or reflect the wishes of the American people.          

The Iranian regime is evil. It has supported and exported terrorism. It has the blood of many Americans on its hands from its attacks across the decades against American troops and interests, as well as the thousands of Iranians massacred while protesting the regime. However, President Trump and his administration have failed to make the case that it poses an imminent threat to the American people. The administration also failed to extract all they could through diplomacy with a regime that is as weak as it has ever been. This is an illegal war launched without meaningful consultation or the consent of Congress. At a time when we face significant threats from an aggressive China and Russia, choosing to launch a war with Iran brings significant risks, and Congress should rein in this dangerous president before he can do more harm to American service members and national interests.” 

NBC10’s Neil Fischer spoke with Marjam Vafa of the Philly Iranians about the attack and discussed what it means for Iran’s future. 

“President Trump said the right words. He said this is not just for now, this is for the future,” said Vafa.

Vafa added. “It is a very hard time for the Iranian community right now.”