Zohran Mamdani faces intense backlash from conservatives after condemning the US-Israel strike that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Zohran Mamdani Slams Trump’s Iran Military Operation as ‘Illegal War of Aggression,’ Sparks Outrage (Source: X)
US-Israel Strike: New York City’s socialist mayor, Zohran Mamdani, is facing strong criticism from conservatives after he condemned the recent US attack on Iran that led to the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
On Saturday, while the joint military operation by the United States and Israel was unfolding, Mamdani posted his reaction on X. His post quickly gained massive attention and has been viewed nearly 20 million times.
In his message, he criticised the Trump administration’s decision to launch the attack. He wrote, "Today’s military strikes on Iran carried out by the United States and Israel mark a catastrophic escalation in an illegal war of aggression,"
He continued,"Bombing cities. Killing civilians. Opening a new theater of war. Americans do not want this. They do not want another war in pursuit of regime change."
Mamdani added that Americans would rather see the government focus on domestic problems. He said people want "relief from the affordability crisis."
He also directly addressed Iranian residents living in New York City. In his message, he told them,"You are part of the fabric of this city you are our neighbors, small business owners, students, artists, workers, and community leaders," "You will be safe here."
Soon after his post went viral, several conservative leaders and public figures criticised him on social media. Many accused him of appearing sympathetic toward Iran’s leadership and pointed out that he had not spoken strongly about Iranian protesters who were killed in recent years.
Republican Senator Ted Cruz wrote,"Comrade Mayor is rooting for the Ayatollah," "They can chant together."
Fox News host Brian Kilmeade also criticised Mamdani and posted, "Do u say anything pro American ?" "do u know any Iranians - ? they hate @fr_Khamenei they celebrate his death, you should be celebrating his death ! hes killed thousands of American’s and just killed 30k Iranians, did u even say a word about that? You are an embarrassment !! Please quit."
Iranian American journalist Masih Alinejad expressed strong concern. She wrote, "I don’t feel safe in New York listening to someone like you, Mamdani, who sympathizes with the regime that killed more than 30,000 unarmed Iranians in less than 24 hours,"
She further said, "We Iranians do not allow you to lecture us about war while you had nothing to say when the Islamic Republic shot schoolgirls and blinded more than 10,000 innocent people in the streets. You were busy celebrating the hijab while women of my beloved country Iran were jailed and raped by Islamic Security forces for removing it.
"And NOW you find your voice to defend the regime? No. I will not let you claim the moral high ground. The people of Iran want to be free. Where were you when they needed solidarity?"
Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman questioned Mamdani’s stance. He wrote,"How is it that you can’t differentiate between good and evil?" "Why is this so hard for you?"
Republican Representative Nancy Mace also criticised the mayor. She posted,"It takes a particular kind of audacity, or ignorance, for a city mayor to appoint himself the conscience of American foreign policy while his constituents step over garbage on their way to work," "History will not remember his bravery. It will not remember him at all."
Republican New York City Councilwoman Vickie Paladino wrote,"Iranian New Yorkers are thrilled today and see right through you."
Another Republican Councilwoman, Inna Vernikov, posted,"When Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, UAE, Bahrain all support today’s operation eliminating world’s #1 sponsor of terror, but New York City’s Mayor @ZohranMamdani is shilling for Iran,"
Shortly after Mamdani’s post, President Donald Trump and Israeli officials confirmed that the military operation had resulted in Khamenei’s death. Israeli leaders stated that Khamenei’s compound and offices in downtown Tehran were destroyed early Saturday in a targeted strike.
Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Iran program, gave his view on Khamenei’s long rule. He said, "Khamenei was the contemporary Middle East’s longest-serving autocrat. He did not get to be that way by being a gambler. Khamenei was an ideologue, but one who ruthlessly pursued the preservation and protection of his ideology, often taking two steps forward and one step back,"
Meanwhile, Fox News Digital reported that it had contacted Mamdani’s office for comment.
