Iran

200 days of war on Iran:  Trump’s forever war is ruining lives in Iran and at home

September 15, 2026

September 16 marks 200 days since the U.S. and Israel began an unprovoked war of aggression against Iran. It’s crucial to understand that this war is ongoing. Even in weeks when the U.S. isn’t dropping bombs, its economic siege on Iran is wreaking havoc on Iranians and people all over the world.

That includes people inside the U.S., where the war is imposing enormous economic costs on working people. According to one estimate, the war cost $113 billion over its first 108 days – more than $1 billion per day. By mid-June, the extra cost of gas to the public had totalled over $92 billion — in turn fueling inflation that is driving up costs across the board.

This is not to downplay the horrific human cost from direct U.S. and Israeli violence, which continues to grow. The U.S. has killed well over 3,500 Iranians, mostly civilians and including at least 170 children, while injuring tens of thousands. At least 18 U.S. soldiers have been killed and hundreds have been wounded. The war has also expanded regionally, involving a brutal Israeli invasion of Lebanon that has killed thousands, U.S. airstrikes on Iraq, and renewed Saudi aggression against Yemen.

The environmental and infrastructural effects of the bombing campaign against Iran will have devastating consequences for at least a generation. In March, one major U.S. attack against an oil refinery created a fire so massive that it began pouring black oily rain on the 9 million residents of Tehran. Over 200 days, the U.S. has bombed hospitals, water treatment facilities, schools, mosques, oil refineries, railways, bridges, airports, and more—all war crimes.

The U.S. war on Iran is becoming another forever war, with no rational pretext, consistent goal, or planned exit. Polls show the war is immensely unpopular. We need to mobilize people in the U.S. to make sure this war is politically toxic for any politician who dares support it. While Iran is fighting back by imposing economic costs on the U.S., our task is to build a mass movement of ordinary people who see the connection between U.S. imperialism overseas and oppressive conditions at home. 

As Minnesotans, there are local actions we can take.  

Call on the State Board of Investment to divest. In addition to $640 million invested in weapons manufacturers, the SBI invests $57 million in Palantir, an AI company that helped generate target lists in Iran. Public workers don’t want their SBI-managed pensions invested in war crimes.

Stop Honeywell and other defense contractors.  The Minneapolis Honeywell plant recently secured an exclusive $30.8 million contract with the Department of War to produce Inertial Measurement Units for guided missiles that are used against Iran.