Iranian-American group sues Trump for 'unconstitutional' war on Iran

The National Iranian American Council (NIAC), based in Washington, DC, has filed a lawsuit against former US President Donald Trump, accusing him of waging an unconstitutional war on Iran. The group claims that US citizens and their families have suffered harm due to a conflict without a clear end. The lawsuit was filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia by constitutional lawyers Alan Morrison and Bruce Fein, seeking a declaration that the war on Iran is unconstitutional and that Trump lacks the authority to continue it without congressional approval.

The complaint argues that Trump did not seek congressional authorization for the war, which ended on April 7, 2026, after a ceasefire was ordered by the president. However, the ceasefire has been sporadic, with the US carrying out multiple bombings in Iran's southern coast, including a strike on a wedding earlier this month. Despite this, the White House has maintained that there are no present hostilities, as the ceasefire has not effectively halted the ongoing attacks.

NIAC's president, Jamal Abdi, emphasized the need for a precedent to prevent future presidents from taking the country to war without proper authorization. The lawsuit names eight Iranian Americans who have directly suffered due to Trump's bombings, including Kowsar Gowhari, who lost four family members in Iran, including a 70-year-old cousin and a two-month-old baby. The lawsuit aims to address the fundamental question of whether one person can unilaterally decide to keep an entire nation at war.