Senators Condemn President's Threat Against Iranian Civilization

Bipartisan group of lawmakers criticize Trump's comments as dangerous and unacceptable

Apr. 8, 2026 at 12:00am

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A serene, photorealistic painting of the U.S. Capitol building in warm, golden light, conveying a sense of political tension and uncertainty.As partisan divisions deepen in Washington, lawmakers from both parties voice concerns over the president's inflammatory rhetoric toward Iran.NYC Today

A group of prominent U.S. Senators, including the Ranking Members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Senate Appropriations Committee, have issued a strong rebuke of President Trump's recent threat to target and destroy Iranian cultural sites, which they described as a violation of international law and a dangerous escalation of tensions with Iran.

Why it matters

The Senators' condemnation highlights the bipartisan opposition to the President's rhetoric, which many view as a reckless and illegal threat against Iranian cultural heritage. This comes at a time of heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran, raising concerns about the potential for further conflict.

The details

In a joint statement, Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Chris Coons, Chuck Schumer, Jack Reed, and Brian Schatz denounced the President's comments as a violation of the 1954 Hague Convention, which prohibits the targeting of cultural property during armed conflict. The Senators argued that such actions would be considered war crimes and further inflame tensions in the region.

  • The Senators issued their statement on April 8, 2026.

The players

Jeanne Shaheen

U.S. Senator from New Hampshire and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Chris Coons

U.S. Senator from Delaware and Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense.

Chuck Schumer

U.S. Senator from New York and Senate Democratic Leader.

Jack Reed

U.S. Senator from Rhode Island and Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Brian Schatz

U.S. Senator from Hawaii.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

The takeaway

The bipartisan condemnation of the President's rhetoric highlights the deep concerns within Congress about the potential consequences of escalating tensions with Iran through the targeting of cultural sites, which would be considered a war crime under international law.