Schiff: US had ‘simply no basis’ to launch Iran attack

Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) on Sunday sharply criticized President Trump for authorizing strikes against Iran, warning that it risks dragging the U.S. into yet another conflict in the Middle East.

“There was simply no basis to go in with this massive military campaign, with the goal of regime change. And the concern here is that we have unleashed factors in the region now that we cannot control,” Schiff told host George Stephanopoulos on ABC News’s “This Week.”

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with a slew of political and military leaders in the country, were killed Saturday amid joint U.S. and Israeli bombardment. While Schiff acknowledged Sunday that Khamenei was a “brutal dictator” at the helm of a “murderous regime,” he said Iran “posed no imminent threat of attack” to the U.S. 

Last June, Trump said U.S. strikes “obliterated” a trio of Iranian nuclear facilities, although a preliminary intelligence assessment suggested otherwise. 

On Saturday, the president said the latest strikes offer the Iranian people the chance to take control of the country. The Islamic Republic has governed Iran since 1979.

“When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take,” Trump told Iranians. “This will be, probably, your only chance for generations.”

But Schiff noted that an “equally depraved regime” could take over in Khamenei’s stead. An interim leadership council composed of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Guardian Council jurist member Ayatollah Alireza Arafi and head of the Iranian judiciary Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i will now run the country, according to Iranian state television Press TV.

“If the Iranian people do rise up, as [Trump] has called upon them to do, maybe they’re successful,” Schiff said. “Maybe they get slaughtered in reliance on the president’s implicit promise that we will be there to help them.”

As of 9:30 a.m. EST Sunday, three American service members have been killed in the operation, while five have been injured, according to U.S. Central Command. Iran has also launched retaliatory strikes on U.S. bases throughout the region and against Israel. 

On Capitol Hill, a majority of Republican lawmakers have backed the president. Democrats, meanwhile, have largely slammed Trump for starting a war without congressional approval — particularly after the president launched his political career and campaigned in 2024 on ending U.S. conflicts abroad and focusing on issues at home. 

“The president broke his promise to the American people of no more regime change wars, broke his promise to focus on bringing down the cost for American families,” said Schiff, who also touted the Senate War Powers Resolution vote he and Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) have introduced to prevent Trump from going to war with Iran without a vote in Congress.

“There’s nothing in this action that’s going to improve the lives of Americans.”

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome is on the rise: What symptoms to watch for

Kelly says it’s ‘unlikely’ he backs war powers vote

A big change is coming to Social Security that beneficiaries may not notice

Education Department hangs banner of Charlie Kirk

Live updates: Trump says there will ‘likely be more’ American deaths in ...

Poll: Talarico, Paxton hold slim edge heading into Tuesday primary

Cuba faces ‘zero hour’ as Trump, Rubio put squeeze on regime

Iranian president, supreme leader believed to be alive after US attack: Iran ...

America’s cost-of-living crisis is entering its most brutal phase

State Department urges Americans to ‘exercise increased caution’ amid Iran ...

Vance’s war on Medicaid fraud risks blowback for GOP 

Oman foreign minister expresses dismay at US strikes on Iran: ‘This is not ...

Iran names interim leadership after Khamenei killing

The elitists are running scared of JD Vance

US military used stealth B-2 bombers to strike Iran’s ballistic missile ...

Marjorie Taylor Greene blasts Trump’s Iran strikes

Gulf countries coming under attack from Iran warn of retaliation

Trump says there will ‘likely be more’ American deaths in Iran before ...

© The Hill