Portland ‘No War With Iran’ Rally Draws Crowds as Oregon Leaders Criticize Trump’s Move Toward Another Middle East War

By Diane Megaw On Mar 2, 2026 Last updated Mar 2, 2026

‘No War with Iran’ protest, Downtown Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. — As criticism over the US-Israeli strikes on Iran rages worldwide, dozens of people attended a ‘No War with Iran’ protest in Downtown Portland on Saturday afternoon.

Protesters called for the United States to get out of the Middle East and to stop providing military aid to Israel.

Tidings Context

US military aid to Israel is funded through congressional appropriations and overseen under foreign assistance and arms export laws, which set reporting and transfer rules even during conflicts.

Portland Protests US-Israeli Strikes On Iran

‘No War with Iran’ protesters called on community members to stand up against President Donald Trump’s unilateral declaration of war in the name of Americans, using taxpayer dollars for weapons and munitions. Oregon lawmakers have also accused Trump of violating the Constitution in the deadly war.

Tidings Context

In the United States, Congress declares war and controls funding, while presidents command the military, but the War Powers Resolution requires notifying Congress quickly and limits action without authorization.

Iran has already retaliated on US military bases in the Middle East, and news outlets have started reporting the first American injuries and deaths in the Middle East following the engagement. Many people have criticized Trump’s action as unnecessary, causing harm to civilians in Iran and putting US citizens at risk.

Oregon lawmakers have also decried the deaths of Americans in a potentially deadly war that many Americans do not support. The leaders have vocalized what many other Oregonians have been saying:

US Sen. Ron Wyden (@RonWyden): “Oregonians asked a lot at today’s #2026townhall in Portland about Iran. My answer: another senseless & costly Middle East war will cost thousands of US lives & waste more trillions in taxpayer money like the Iraq War that I opposed. That’s why I also oppose this one in Iran.”

US Rep. Andrea Salinas (@RepSalinas): “I’m thinking of the brave service members killed and injured in the line of duty. I cannot imagine what their families are going through. While our troops are in harm’s way, the Trump Administration has still not shared its strategy, goals, or exit plan with the American people, including Members of Congress. Before any more troops are put into harm’s way, Congress must rein in our out-of-control President. No more forever wars.”

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