The Democrats have won majorities in both the United States Senate and House of Representatives, taking control of Congress for the rest of Donald Trump’s presidency. Trump himself has acknowledged that the illegal war on Iran has been a factor in the Republicans’ defeats. But what does this mean for US foreign policy, especially with reports that the war could enter another deadly phase of military escalation?

CND remains deeply concerned about the possibility of further strikes on Iran and is preparing to mobilise should the US and Israel take action.

This war has already resulted in thousands of civilian deaths, and countless war crimes through the targeting of civilians and essential infrastructure, as well as environmental devastation. President Trump’s direct threat to use nuclear weapons against the Iranian people has been followed by continuous threats to ‘wipe out’ Iran. Bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities by nuclear-armed Israel and the US, in breach the International Atomic Energy Agency Statutes and the UN charter, have increased the dangers of radioactive contamination.

Trump’s illegal war is also driving a global economic crisis, including here in Britain where households look set to lose an estimated £70.4 billion in real disposable income by the end of 2027.

Protest outside the US Embassy this Saturday
Should attacks resume, CND – alongside Stop the War and Iranians against War – will be holding an emergency demo outside the US Embassy this Saturday 7th November at 1pm. Please join us at this important moment!

• Saturday 7 November at 1pm
• US embassy, Nine Elms Lane, London SW11 7US
• Follow CND’s social media accounts for the latest updates

Legal implications: CND launches legal opinion
Unsurprisingly, the war on Iran is deeply unpopular, with strong majorities opposing the military action and the British government’s decision to allow the US to use bases in this country. The government’s justification that these bases have only been used for defensive operations has been highly contested. 

To increase pressure on the British government, CND is this week launching a legal opinion by law firm Leigh Day, which raises serious doubts about the government’s ability to satisfy itself that US military operations against Iran have been lawful.

It suggests there are significant questions as to whether the UK is facilitating operations that fall outside the bounds of international law. The opinion also challenges a key element of the government’s justification for allowing US forces to use UK bases: whether the United States has any valid right under international law to act in defence of the Gulf States.

The opinion concludes that serious concerns remain that the UK may be supporting military action that lacks a lawful basis under international law, while failing to provide the transparency necessary for effective democratic scrutiny and accountability.

Read the full opinion here

CND urges Prime Minister Andy Burnham to revoke Trump’s permission for the use of British bases in any further military action on Iran, and help facilitate diplomatic efforts to end the war.

Help us campaign against war and increasing nuclear dangers    
CND has been absolutely central to building the opposition to Trump’s illegal war in Iran, especially through our work organising national protests and key demonstrations outside RAF bases that have been used to facilitate US bombing raids. Can you help us fund this critical work by donating today? Any amount will go a long way towards supporting this critical work.