America Must Not Rush Into a War Against Iran

Opinion|America Must Not Rush Into a War Against Iran

A nuclear-armed Iran would make the world less safe. It would destabilize the already volatile Middle East. It could imperil Israel’s existence. It would encourage other nations to acquire their own nuclear weapons, with far-reaching geopolitical consequences.

Now, however, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has acted to destroy Iran’s capacity to build nuclear weapons without first shoring up allies’ support. The United States faces being dragged into another war in the Middle East, with American lives at stake. And while the world tries to figure out what President Trump will do in the coming days, that is the wrong question. If Mr. Trump wants the United States to join the Israeli war against Iran, the next step is as clear: Congress must first authorize the use of military force.

Our laws are explicit on this point. An unprovoked American attack on Iran — one that could involve massive bombs known as bunker busters — would not be a police action or special military operation. It would be a war. To declare it is not the decision of Mr. Netanyahu or Mr. Trump. Under the Constitution, Congress alone has that power.

When lawmakers passed the War Powers Resolution in 1973, they limited the president’s authority to conduct military operations, carving out an exception to respond to a foreign attack. This is not such a circumstance. Iran has not attacked the United States. There is ample time for Congress, the elected representatives of the American people, to debate this decision and render its judgment.

Several members of Congress seem to appreciate that responsibility. On Tuesday, Representative Thomas Massie, Republican of Kentucky, filed a House resolution, along with Democratic colleagues, that would require Congress to sign off ahead of any offensive U.S. attack against Iran. Senator Tim Kaine, Democrat of Virginia, introduced a similar measure on Monday.

This approach has a long history. Only one day after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, in 1941, both houses of Congress declared war. Even with the Vietnam War, President Lyndon Johnson persuaded lawmakers to pass the Gulf of Tonkin resolution in 1964. More recently, Congress authorized the use of force in Iraq in both 1991 and 2002. It also did so in 2001, before the war in Afghanistan. Members of Congress from both parties have often rightly stood up for their power in this area. In 2013, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas told ABC News that President Barack Obama did not have the authority to order a military strike on Syria without congressional approval. “It would be contrary to the Constitution,” Mr. Cruz said.