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By Kate Plummer
Senior US News Reporter
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A Gen Z group has condemned President Donald Trump's strikes on Iran and spoken out against "forever wars."
The United States and Israel carried out coordinated attacks on Iranian military and strategic targets early Saturday, with officials describing the action as a preemptive operation targeting the country's nuclear capabilities. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the strikes.
The Islamic Republic launched retaliatory strikes across U.S. bases in the Middle East and Iran has repeatedly denied pursuing a nuclear weapon. The country had engaged in diplomatic talks with the U.S. only days earlier to prevent military conflict.
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In a statement, Voters of Tomorrow, a political advocacy group for young people, characterized Trump's actions as an "unauthorized military campaign" that will "lead to more violence and loss of life."
"Gen Z has made ourselves clear: no more forever wars," the group said.
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Why It Matters
Public opinion may influence Trump's decisions as the conflict continues. Maintaining broad support of voters will be critical in a year when voters participate in the midterm elections, key in affecting the balance of power in the U.S.
What To Know
Voters of Tomorrow said in its statement, issued Saturday: "“Gen Z has made ourselves clear: no more forever wars."
The group, which has some 11,000 members, added: “We condemn Donald Trump’s latest unauthorized military campaign to topple a foreign regime. Young people do not want this. Our country does not want this. Trump has said himself that this conflict will be ongoing and cost American lives. This does not benefit us, or advance global peace.
“Bombing children and other innocent civilians is not liberation. Gen Z knows Trump’s actions are always self-serving, and we are already too familiar with [Israeli Pime Minister] Benjamin Netanyahu’s destructive playbook. This partnership will only lead to more violence and loss of life."
It comes after a poll from Reuters/Ipsos published on Sunday found that one in four Americans support the strikes while half of respondents, believe Trump is too willing to use military force.
Meanwhile, protests have erupted across the globe—some in favor of the strikes and others against them, underscoring the deep divides over the military campaign.
“Congress, do your f****** job," the group continued, calling on Congress to pass legislation to stop the conflict. "Stop letting Trump get away with bombing countries in the middle of the night. The Constitution gives you—not the president—the power to declare war. Yet, Trump continues to risk American lives without so much as a vote. Pass [Californian Democratic] Representative [Ro] Khanna and [GOP Kentucky] Representative [Thomas] Massie’s War Powers Resolution immediately. Gen Z does not want boots on the ground or more tax dollars spent on endless war. Failure to act makes you complicit.”
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on Saturday, in part: "Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead. This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei."
Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, said in an X post: “I am opposed to this War. This is not ‘America First.’ When Congress reconvenes, I will work with @RepRoKhanna to force a Congressional vote on war with Iran. The Constitution requires a vote, and your representative needs to be on record as opposing or supporting this war."
Former Vice President Kamala Harris wrote in a post on X on Saturday: "Donald Trump is dragging the United States into a war the American people do not want. Let me be clear: I am opposed to a regime-change war in Iran, and our troops are being put in harm’s way for the sake of Trump’s war of choice."
**The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement: "**History bears witness that Iranians have never bowed their heads in submission to foreign aggression. This time as well, the response of the Iranian nation will be decisive and will make the aggressors regret their criminal act."
What Happens Next
Kuwait's Defense Ministry has said "several" U.S. warplanes had crashed over the country as the conflict with Iran entered its third day.
Meanwhile, Israel launched strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon after saying the Iran-backed militant group targeted it with rockets. The Lebanese Health Ministry said the attacks in Beirut and South Lebanon had killed 31 people and injured 149.
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