September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows Statement on the Attacks on Iran

March 1st, 2026

September 11^th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows strongly condemns the U.S. and Israeli military attacks on Iran, the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the use of the military to force regime change.

Our members, all relatives of individuals killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the U.S., have witnessed far too many U.S. efforts to promote regime change – in Afghanistan, in Iraq, in Libya and elsewhere – in the name of eradicating terrorism.  These efforts failed. They did, however, lead to greater conflict, the deaths of tens of thousands of innocent civilians, and ultimately involved U.S. boots on the ground with the loss of U.S. service members’ lives.

The attacks on Iran were carried out in violation of U.S., international, and international humanitarian law. The military attacks were not in opposition to any immediate threat to U.S. citizens, nor were the attacks authorized by Congress, as required by the U.S. Constitution.

While we stand with the citizens of Iran in support of their civil society efforts to promote democracy within their nation and end the violation of Iranians’ human rights, we are deeply concerned that any transition forced by the American and Israeli governments does not hold the interests of Iranian citizens as primary. 

The fundamental concern of Peaceful Tomorrows is always civilian casualties. Our relatives were murdered by rogue actors seeking political change. We condemn violence in any form as a means to political or societal change and demand the protection of all civilians from any faction engaging in this current armed conflict.