Bernie Sanders says US ‘must not be dragged into another Netanyahu war’
US Senator Bernie Sanders has noted that Israel’s strikes against Iran came just days before talks on the Iranian nuclear deal were expected to take place.
“The world is more dangerous and unstable as a result of the extremist Netanyahu’s government ongoing defiance of international law,” Sanders said in a statement.
“The US must make it clear that we will not be dragged into another Netanyahu war,” he added.
“Along with the international community, we should do everything possible to prevent an escalation of this conflict and bring the warring parties to the negotiating table.”
Netanyahu’s illegal unilateral attack on Iran risks a full-blown war.
These strikes directly undermine the U.S. diplomatic efforts to address Iran’s nuclear program. Talks were planned for Sunday, but Netanyahu chose to attack.
We must not be dragged into another Netanyahu war. pic.twitter.com/Xkwm9loNtZ
— Sen. Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) June 13, 2025
Oil markets are spooked as Iran-Israel tensions escalate
Israel’s strikes on military and nuclear sites, and Iran’s retaliation, have rocked already strained global supply chains.
As airlines suspend flights to Tel Aviv, Tehran, and other airports across the region, oil companies, shipping firms, and regulatory agencies face growing concerns that key trade routes like the Strait of Hormuz could be caught in the crossfire.
Merchant shipping is still passing through the Strait of Hormuz, but with increased caution.
Iran has previously threatened to close this critical trade route in response to Western pressure.
Even the suggestion of such a move has already sent shockwaves through global markets, and the price of oil has risen.
Trump appears to be pursuing ‘profoundly misguided strategy’
Thomas Countryman, a former US State Department official, says civilians will likely be the main victims of “Israel’s reckless military action” against Iran.
“The United States for 25 years has discouraged the Israeli government and especially Prime Minister Netanyahu from attacking Iran,” Countryman told Al Jazeera from Washington, DC.
“Five US presidents, including Trump in his first term, resisted the Israeli effort to have the United States military fight Israel’s conflict with Iran.”
But Countryman said it’s unclear if Trump discouraged Israel from launching its attacks this week, as the US president instead appears to be trying “to use the threat of further Israeli military attacks on Iran as negotiating leverage with Iran”.
“If that’s what he’s doing, it is a profoundly misguided strategy.”
He added that Netanyahu is hoping that Iran will target US forces in the Middle East, thereby dragging Washington into an “active support role for Israel’s attacks”.
