USCAN Statement on the Military Escalation in Iran

‍USCAN Statement:

Washington, DC – March 4, 2026 –The U.S. Climate Action Network (USCAN) stands in solemn opposition to the illegal acts of military aggression carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran. As an organization committed to a just transition and a future that centers people and working families, we recognize that militarism is the antithesis of climate justice. We cannot build a sustainable and equitable world while our governments choose to export death, destabilize entire regions, and prioritize the "might makes right" agenda over human life and international law. This aggression is not an isolated event; it is a manifestation of a pattern of U.S. foreign policy that violates international law and the sovereignty of nations, whether through military action in Iran or destabilizing interventions that disrespect the self-determination of countries like Cuba, Mexico, and Venezuela.

The human cost of this conflict is already staggering and heartbreaking. We mourn the loss of innocent lives, including the reported deaths of over one hundred children at a girls' elementary school in Minab. These are not just statistics; they are families shattered, communities uprooted, and a generation of relationships severed by the machinery of war. Beyond the immediate casualties, these actions constitute severe humanitarian violations, demanding immediate investigation and accountability under international law, especially concerning the protection of civilians and non-military targets.

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Several USCAN members have raised a unified cry against this escalation:

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) warns of the profound risks to global security: "As always, innocent people will suffer the consequences of war. ... This illegal war will not bring safety or security to the American people or its allies." (Press Release)

The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) emphasizes the systemic failure of military force: "Bombs do not yield peace, democracy, climate justice, or human rights. ... The international community must reject the normalization of the use of force." (Press Release)

The Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) has criticized the strikes as illegal and destabilizing, calling for immediate diplomacy and the restoration of congressional oversight to prevent further unconstitutional executive overreach. (News & Featured)

Win Without War has mobilized to oppose this escalation, urging Congress to exercise its power to prevent a new, protracted war with Iran that would only lead to further regional chaos. (Newsroom)

The Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns brings a vital faith-based perspective, warning of the catastrophic humanitarian impacts of a broader Middle East war and urging a return to the path of dialogue and peace. (Prayer & Action)

Oil Change International reminds us that these attacks came as ongoing negotiations were nearing a conclusion and warned how this illegal war is simply yet another example of fossil fuel imperialism. While this risky and illegal war may result in windfall profits for the oil and gas industry, it most certainly spells misery for everyday people around the world. (Blog)

Domestically, this war drains resources that should be invested in our communities—in our schools, our healthcare, and our transition to a clean and renewable energy economy. It sends young people to fight a completely avoidable war in yet another conflagration thousands of miles away from home. Abroad, it accelerates an environmental and humanitarian catastrophe in a region already reeling from decades of imperialist intervention and occupation—in a pattern of disrespect for national sovereignty evident across the globe, from the Middle East to the ongoing pressures against nations like Cuba, Mexico, and Venezuela—and it stokes the flames of anti-American sentiment everywhere.

We call on our leaders to end this war of aggression immediately. We urge our members and the broader global community to stand with us in demanding a path of diplomacy, deescalation and compassion. Our collective future depends on our ability to see the inherent value in every life and to reject the false promises of militarism. We must choose a path that centers humanity, heals our relationships, and secures a livable planet for all.

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We also recognize that what may feel like a setback is part of the work in building a just and equitable new world. This great work is the work of a lifetime, and we are committed to continue forging ahead.

#JustTransition #ClimateJustice #NoToWar