Call for De-Escalation and Diplomacy Amidst Conflict in Iran
PAAIA is committed to supporting the people of Iran.
Since Israel’s June 13 strikes on Iran, we at PAAIA have been working around the clock, reaffirming our commitment to advocating for diplomacy, civilian protection, and the rights of Iranian Americans. This escalation has heightened concerns about regional stability and raised the very real risk of harm to innocent civilians in Iran. For Iranian Americans—many of whom maintain close ties to loved ones in the region—these developments have also sparked renewed fear of backlash, discrimination, and political scapegoating at home.
PAAIA stands firmly with the innocent people of Iran, who must not become casualties of regional or international power struggles. We also stand with the Iranian American community here in the United States, whose rights and dignity must be safeguarded amid rising geopolitical tensions. From the outset of this crisis, our message to policymakers has been consistent: de-escalation and diplomacy must be prioritized, and the Iranian people must not be conflated with the actions of their government.
Congressional Policy & Legislative Protections
PAAIA is closely monitoring a suite of legislative proposals designed to prevent U.S. military involvement and shield Iranian civilians:
House War Powers Resolution:
Led by Reps. Thomas Massie (R–KY) and Ro Khanna (D–CA), joined by Reps. Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez and Rashida Tlaib, this bill would require explicit Congressional consent before the President can initiate military action connected to the Israel–Iran conflict. It underscores both branches’ shared constitutional responsibility to prevent unilateral decisions on war
Senate War Powers Resolution:
Sen. Tim Kaine (D–VA), a long-standing advocate for legislative oversight in war-making, filed a resolution mandating a Senate debate and vote prior to any deployment unless the U.S. is under imminent attack. Kaine emphasized that “it is not in our national security interest to get into a war with Iran” without proper legislative authorization.
No War Against Iran Act:
Introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I–VT) with cosponsors including Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Jeff Merkley, Chris Van Hollen, Ed Markey, Tammy Baldwin, and Tina Smith, this legislation would forbid federal funding of any military action in or against Iran unless explicitly authorized by Congress, while preserving the right to self-defense. The bill reiterates: “The President has no authority to embark on another costly war” without congressional approval.
These legislative efforts reflect a bipartisan resolve to reaffirm the constitutional principle: only Congress can declare war. They are anchored in public concern over another “forever war” in the Middle East, a sentiment echoing across both sides of the political aisle.
What PAAIA Is Doing
Since the onset of Israel’s June 13 strike on Iran, PAAIA has taken swift and sustained action to advocate for diplomacy, protect Iranian civilians, and safeguard the rights of Iranian Americans. Our efforts span multiple fronts: engaging directly with policymakers in Washington, organizing the Iranian American community, and shaping public messaging that distinguishes the Iranian people from their government.
Engaging the Executive and Legislative Branches
PAAIA has been in active communication with both the Executive and Legislative branches. We immediately circulated formal statements to every congressional office through our advocacy platform and are conducting direct follow-up with targeted Members of Congress and their staff.
These conversations emphasize the urgent need to prevent further escalation and loss of civilian life, and they reiterate that U.S. policy must reflect the democratic aspirations of the Iranian people, not empower authoritarian narratives.
Morad Ghorban, PAAIA’s Director of Government Affairs, is leading this outreach, flagging our policy positions and requesting that lawmakers issue public statements, social media posts, or press releases aligned with our recommendations to protect both Iranian Americans and the Iranian People.
To read the full statement, click here.
Mobilizing the Iranian American Community
At the same time, we are empowering Iranian Americans across the country to make their voices heard. Through a national email and listserv campaign, we have encouraged thousands of individuals to contact their representatives using our Action Alert platform. We’ve emphasized that now is the time for Iranian American community members, especially those with any relationships in Congress, to reach out directly to express concern, ask for restraint, and demand de-escalation, U.S. neutrality, and that Iranian Americans not be subjected to discrimination as tensions rise.
Every Iranian American has a role to play in protecting both our community and innocent civilians abroad.
Hosting High-Level Briefings and Public Discussions
In parallel with our advocacy work, we are organizing moderated virtual discussions and private briefings for our Members and members of the Iranian American community.
These convenings feature leading scholars, foreign policy experts, and members of the Iranian American community who bring firsthand insight into the regional dynamics at play. These events serve both to educate the public and to equip community members with language and understanding they can use in their own advocacy efforts.
If you would like to be included on the invitation list for these events, please fill out the form to the right, or contact us at info@paaia.org
Shaping the Public Narrative
Through strategic use of social media, we are amplifying the voices of Members of Congress who have spoken out in alignment with our principles. These include Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, who emphasized the importance of distinguishing the Iranian people from their government, and Rep. Scott Franklin, who highlighted the contributions of Iranian Americans to American society.
We have also issued statements of our own, and are monitoring public discourse to ensure that the Iranian American perspective is represented fairly, factually, and without political distortion.
We remind our Members and friends of the post-9/11 experience, where rising geopolitical conflict led to increased profiling and civil liberties violations. PAAIA is committed to ensuring that history does not repeat itself.
Actions You Can Take
This is a critical moment for Iranian Americans to raise their voices. We have already seen how Members of Congress are responding when they hear from our community—now is the time to act, clearly and collectively. Every letter, phone call, and conversation helps shape how our leaders respond to this crisis.
Here’s how you can take action today:
Email Your Members of Congress
Use our Action Alert to send a pre-drafted letter directly to your U.S. Senators and Representative. The message urges Congress to:
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Prioritize diplomacy and prevent further escalation.
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Protect the civil liberties of Iranian Americans amid rising tensions.
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Fully implement internet freedom provisions so Iranians can access uncensored information.
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Ensure that the Iranian people are not conflated with the ruling regime.
It takes just two minutes, and it makes a real impact.
Call or Text Your Contacts in Government
If you have personal or professional relationships with Members of Congress or their staff, now is the time to reach out. Share your concerns about the situation in Iran and the potential for U.S. involvement.
Make it clear that your community is watching and expects leadership rooted in restraint, humanity, and constitutional oversight.
Organize
Host a conversation within your network, whether it’s your campus, workplace, or community group, about what’s happening and how to get involved.
Share the facts, emphasize the stakes, and remind people that Iranian Americans have a constitutional right to advocate for peace, protection, and accountability.
Support Pro-Diplomacy Legislation
Track legislation like the War Powers Resolutions and the No War Against Iran Act, and let your representatives know you support these measures. These bills help reinforce the principle that Congress—not the Executive branch—should decide when the U.S. engages in military conflict.
Stay Engaged with PAAIA
PAAIA is actively monitoring legislation introduced in response to this crisis, and we’ll be sharing new Action Alerts as relevant bills move forward.
We urge you to stay connected with us, respond when we call for your support, and share these updates with your community.
Together, we can ensure that Iranian Americans remain informed, organized, and empowered—not only to influence policy today, but to support one another in the weeks ahead.
Live Updates from the U.S. State Department
For Live Updates from the U.S. Virtual Embassy Iran related to travel and border safety, you can visit their website or read their Facebook feed on this page.