Iranian-American group sues Trump to halt war on Iran

September 24, 2026 at 10:45 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

The National Iranian American Council filed a lawsuit in Washington, DC, on Thursday against President Donald Trump, seeking a court order to halt military action against Iran. The group argues the war violates constitutional war powers and harms Iranian Americans and their families in Iran. The filing comes as Trump told the UN General Assembly on Tuesday he was considering whether to "annihilate" Iran.

Key Facts

The lawsuit was filed on Thursday in a Washington, DC, court by the National Iranian American Council (NIAC).
The complaint alleges the war has killed thousands of civilians, including hundreds of children.
A UN fact-finding mission said in September the US likely committed war crimes in Iran.
NIAC President Jamal Abdi said no president should have the power to take the country into an indefinite war.

The Lawsuit

The National Iranian American Council filed the complaint in a Washington, DC, court on Thursday. The lawsuit asks a court to order a halt to military action against Iran. The group argues the war violates constitutional war powers checks and will continue indefinitely. The complaint says the war causes imminent threats to the lives, limbs, health, property, and bare necessities of Iranians and Iranian Americans.

Plaintiffs' Claims

The lawsuit details the impact of the war on several members, including US citizens and a US Army veteran. Relatives of some plaintiffs were allegedly killed or injured in air strikes during the war. The plaintiffs also allege economic difficulties caused by US sanctions and inability to access healthcare or travel. The complaint states those inside Iran are in danger because the Trump administration continues the war without legal oversight.

Casualties and Response

Thousands of civilians, including hundreds of children, have been killed by the US in the war so far, according to the lawsuit. In September, a UN fact-finding mission said the US likely committed war crimes in Iran, including in air strikes that allegedly killed hundreds of civilians. NIAC President Jamal Abdi said the lawsuit asks whether one person can decide to keep an entire nation at war. On Tuesday, Trump told world leaders at the UN General Assembly he was considering whether to annihilate Iran if Tehran did not return to talks.