New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani condemned the US-Israel military strikes on Iran on Saturday, calling them “a catastrophic escalation in an illegal war of aggression” in a public statement and X post.
In the statement, Mamdani said the strikes marked “a catastrophic escalation,” adding that “Americans do not want this,” and arguing that the public wants “relief from the affordability crisis” and “peace.”
The comments came within hours of the opening wave of the joint US-Israel campaign against Iran. President Donald Trump said the US had begun “major combat operations” under the name “Epic Fury,” while Israel said it launched its own operation, “Lion’s Roar,” in coordination with Washington.
NYPD increasing patrols
In New York, the NYPD said it was increasing patrols at “sensitive locations” across the city, including diplomatic, cultural and religious sites, citing heightened tensions in the Middle East.
Mamdani has previously criticized the Iranian regime’s treatment of protesters, but his Saturday statement focused on opposing the military operation and warning of wider escalation.
Mamdani’s remarks quickly drew intense pushback on X from pro-Israel users, with critics arguing he ignored Iran’s nuclear and missile threats and the regime’s record of internal repression.