Love thy neighbors, no exceptions

As the world copes with the COVID-19 pandemic, tensions between the U.S. and Iran continue to rise. In early March, the U.S. launched a new round of attacks. As crippling economic sanctions continue, Iran remains unable to manage the outbreak of COVID-19.

During these uncertain times, many fall back on the core beliefs that have sustained. Do unto others, Love thy neighbor, It is better to give than receive. We inhabit this planet together, all are connected, whether your neighbor is next door or thousands of miles away.

For the U.S., the conflict with Iran began with the seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979. For Iran, it began with the CIA’s overthrow of their elected government in the early 1950s. The 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal brought the two countries back into sustained diplomacy. With the withdrawal by President Trump from that international agreement in 2018 along with the ongoing military actions, we are seeing a new downward spiral in the U.S.-Iran relations.

It is now time for Congress to take back their responsibility to declare war as written in Article 1 of the Constitution. In addition to asserting congressional war powers, Congress can take action to prohibit the use of funds for an unauthorized war against Iran. We should all be urging Rep. McMorris-Rodgers to support the No War Against Iran Act (H.R. 5543) and lift the crippling sanctions on Iran during this unprecedented time.

Anne M. Wright

Liberty Lake