“They want peace,” NYC mayor says as New York increases patrols after Iran escalation
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the United States’ and Israel’s military strikes on Iran as a “catastrophic escalation” and said “Americans do not want this,” as officials and analysts warned the operation could reshape the Middle East and trigger economic and security fallout far beyond the region.
“Today’s military strikes on Iran — carried out by the United States and Israel — mark a catastrophic escalation in an illegal war of aggression,” Mamdani wrote, citing civilian deaths and warning against “another war in pursuit of regime change.” He also said city officials were increasing coordination and patrols at sensitive locations “out of an abundance of caution.”
The strikes are part of a large, coordinated U.S.-Israeli air campaign against Iranian targets. Reuters reported the operation hit hundreds of sites and that Iranian state media and officials reported deaths and injuries, including civilian casualties; Iran responded with missile and drone attacks aimed at Israel and toward locations in the Gulf that host U.S. military assets.
What’s happening and what the U.S. says it’s trying to achieve
President Donald Trump and U.S. officials have framed the strikes as a preventive action tied to Iran’s nuclear and military posture, arguing Iran cannot be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon and describing Iran as a continuing threat to U.S. forces and allies. AP reported Trump cast the attack as giving Iranians a chance to “seize control of your destiny,” while the broader U.S. message has been that military pressure is necessary to neutralize threats and strengthen deterrence.
Supporters of the operation argue that degrading air defenses, missile infrastructure, command nodes and nuclear-linked sites could reduce Iran’s ability to strike Israel, disrupt shipping or threaten U.S. bases, and could increase leverage if talks resume. Reuters described the operation as aimed at neutralizing Iran’s nuclear capabilities, while AP reported the strikes triggered broad disruption in the region, including changes to flight operations.
Potential benefits that supporters point to
Deterrence and reduced near-term attack capacity. If Iranian missile launchers, drones, air defenses and command sites are damaged, Iran’s immediate ability to conduct large-scale attacks can be reduced, at least temporarily. Reuters and AP reporting described a campaign targeting a wide array of military and strategic sites.
Nuclear timeline disruption. U.S. and Israeli leaders have argued the strikes were necessary to prevent Iran from advancing toward a nuclear weapon. The effectiveness of that claim depends on battle damage assessments that typically take time and are often contested, but it remains the stated objective.
Major risks flagged by governments and analysts
Escalation and attacks on U.S. forces. Iran’s retaliation has included missile and drone fire toward countries hosting U.S. bases, according to reporting, highlighting the risk that U.S. personnel and facilities could become sustained targets if the conflict widens.
Oil and shipping shock. A key economic risk is disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global energy flows. Reuters reported that major oil and gas companies and traders suspended shipments via Hormuz after Iran announced the strait was closed, a development that can drive price spikes and broader market volatility.
Civilian harm and international blowback. Mamdani’s criticism focused on civilian deaths, and international reaction has been sharply divided. AP reported Russia condemned the strikes as an act of aggression and warned of humanitarian and economic consequences, while other governments urged de-escalation as the U.N. prepared emergency discussions.
