AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Hojat al-Islam Mojtahedzadeh, a former judge and advisor to the Supreme Court of Iran, in an article, explained the role of American political figures in the face of Trump's failure to confront Iran.
After 40 days of all-out military confrontation by Donald Trump's administration against Iran, during which threats ranging from "taking Iran back to the Stone Age" and destroying infrastructure to the assassination of religious and military figures were employed, Iran not only maintained its deterrence but also imposed a ceasefire based on its own ten-point framework. This strategic defeat has imposed high financial, reputational, and human costs on the United States and constitutes a clear violation of the U.S. Constitution and international law. This note examines the dimensions of this catastrophe and legal solutions to end it for American elites.
1. Direct and Indirect Costs of the War
According to Pentagon estimates and official sources, the war has imposed at least $30 billion in direct military costs on the United States over 40 days. Major damages include: damage to 28 U.S. and allied military bases and the destruction of 15 bases; the downing of 6 advanced fighter jets and over 150 drones and cruise missiles; damage to two aircraft carriers; the failure of a heliborne operation around Isfahan with the destruction of two C-130 logistical aircraft and two helicopters; damage to oil and petrochemical infrastructure of regional allies; and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which disrupted the global oil supply chain. Additionally, the war has increased the monthly cost for each American household by $410.
2. Human Casualties and Public Opinion
According to official Pentagon statistics (April 2026), 13 American soldiers have been killed and 365 wounded. Polls show that only 37 percent of Americans approve of this war, and even among Trump voters, one in five opposes it. Senator Bernie Sanders has called it "horrible and unpopular" and called for an immediate withdrawal.
3. Violation of the U.S. Constitution and International Law
The president has undertaken extensive military action without congressional authorization, violating Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, which vests the power to declare war exclusively in Congress. This pattern has continued since the assassination of General Soleimani during Trump's first term. The UN Special Rapporteur declared that assassination "unlawful and a violation of international rules," and the UN Human Rights Council called it a "clear violation of the UN Charter." Senator Mike Lee (Republican) described it as "un-American, unconstitutional, and wrong." The administration's invocation of the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) (related to Iraq) for war with Iran has been deemed completely invalid.
4. The Role of the Zionist Regime and Violation of the Lebanon Ceasefire
Simultaneously with the war, the Zionist regime has violated the ceasefire. Records show that Lebanon registered 2,036 violations of sovereignty in the last quarter of 2025, and the UN Secretary-General has reported that over 10,000 ceasefire violations by Israel have been recorded. Netanyahu, in justifying the recent ceasefire violation, openly stated that these attacks are being carried out in coordination with Trump.
5. Political Obstacles to Removing Trump
The 25th Amendment (ratified in 1967) provides for declaring the president unable to discharge his duties. There is significant evidence of Trump's erratic behavior, including the dismissal of senior military commanders, contradictory shifts in policy within short periods, threats of war crimes (destruction of civilian infrastructure), and subsequent acceptance of Iran's conditions. However, activating the 25th Amendment requires the Vice President and a majority of the Cabinet, which seems unlikely due to their loyalty to Trump. Impeachment also has a low probability of success due to Republican support for the president. Nevertheless, the possibility of impeaching Donald Trump for failing to respect the rights and interests of the American people does exist. However, the very fact that these options are being discussed by members of Congress, including some Republicans, indicates a deep crisis of Trump's legitimacy.
6. Legal Proposals for Political Figures and Congress
To prevent the continuation of the war and remedy constitutional violations, the following actions are necessary:
1. Enact legislation limiting the president's unilateral authority to take military action against Iran.
2. Repeal or amend the AUMFs related to 2001 and 2002.
3. Use the Power of the Purse to veto war funding.
4. Clarify the concept of "inability" in the 25th Amendment and establish an independent, multi-party mechanism to assess the president's mental fitness.
5. Cooperate with international bodies (including the International Criminal Court) to prosecute war crimes related to statements made against Iran and violations of the rules prohibiting the use of force and protecting civilians.
6. Immediately cease unilateral support for the aggressive actions of the Zionist regime in Lebanon.
7. Return to multilateral diplomacy and respect for international rules.
7. Final Warning to the U.S. Cabinet and Military Commanders**
Trump's Cabinet has a legal and moral responsibility to activate the 25th Amendment if they observe behavior indicative of mental incapacity. Military commanders, under Article 2, Paragraph 4 of the Nuremberg Charter, are obligated to refuse to execute orders that would lead to the commission of war crimes.
Conclusion:
The Iranian nation, through forty days of resistance, has proven that no military power, however equipped with the most advanced technology, can defeat its will. American political figures today face a historic choice: continuing failed and illegal policies that endanger their own citizens' lives and national interests, or returning to the rule of law, separation of powers, and respect for international law. American youth dying on fruitless battlefields in West Asia are victims of policies that are indefensible from legal and ethical perspectives. This reality cannot be ignored.
Mojtahedzadeh
Retired Advisor to the Supreme Court of Iran
April 12, 2026
