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Chris Van Hollen: The Senator Calling the Iran War a ‘Forever War’

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WarBrief Live | October 25, 2026 | Influencer Profile

US Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland has become one of Congress’s most outspoken critics of the war in Iran, calling it “our next forever war” and urging Congress to cut off its funding. His October 24, 2026, post on X — “From Vietnam to Iraq, we know how this ends. This war must end NOW” — distilled his argument: further strikes will not deliver victory, and only Congress can force an end.

Who they are

Chris Van Hollen is a Democratic senator from Maryland. Elected to the Senate in 2016, he took office in 2017 after serving in the House from 2003 to 2017. He sits on the Senate Foreign Relations and Appropriations Committees, both central to war-powers and military-spending debates. Born in 1959 in Karachi, Pakistan, to a US Foreign Service family, he studied at Swarthmore College, Harvard University, and Georgetown University.

Why they matter

His Foreign Relations Committee seat gives his criticism weight: he is a legislator with a vote on funding and authorization, not only a commentator. His October 3 call to cut off funding came as reports emerged of a planned US military buildup in the Middle East, and his “forever war” framing has become shorthand for other critics in Congress. WarBrief’s Intelligence Reports hub tracks the wider debate over the war’s direction.

Key positions

  • No authorization: he calls the campaign an “illegal war of choice” waged without congressional authorization.
  • Cut off funding: he has repeatedly urged Congress to use its power of the purse to end US involvement.
  • Bombing will not bring victory: he argues repeated strikes will not produce a decisive outcome, citing Vietnam and Iraq.
  • Costs at home: he links the conflict to higher diesel and fuel prices for Americans.
  • No trade-offs with Russia: he opposed buying Russian diesel to ease fuel prices, arguing it would bankroll Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Recent statements

October 24, 2026 — “our next forever war.” Sharing an article on reported plans to resume attacks after the midterm elections, he wrote: “Trump’s illegal Iran war is turning into our next forever war. Eight months in, Trump and Republicans have deluded themselves into thinking the next strike or another bombing campaign will finally bring victory. From Vietnam to Iraq, we know how this ends. This war must end NOW.”

October 3, 2026 — funding cutoff call. As reports emerged of a third US aircraft carrier strike group heading to the Middle East, he wrote: “The president, who continues to hide service member casualties, is now sending up to another 10,000 troops to his illegal war of choice in Iran. When Trump says he’s planning on renewing his war next month, believe him. Congress must cut off funding.” The Wall Street Journal reported the deployment could add an estimated 9,000 to 10,000 US troops to the region by the end of November.

October 9, 2026 — Russian diesel. After President Donald Trump announced a Russian diesel supply deal and Treasury issued a temporary general license for Russian diesel imports, he wrote: “Trump started a stupid & illegal war in Iran that has driven up diesel prices. Now he wants to bankroll Putin’s illegal war against Ukraine by buying diesel from him. One strategic disaster after the next.” The post tied his two criticisms together: the war’s domestic costs and US dealings with Russia. See also WarBrief’s analysis of reported plots against US diplomats.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Chris Van Hollen?
A Democratic US senator from Maryland since 2017, previously in the House (2003–2017), on the Foreign Relations and Appropriations Committees.

What has Van Hollen said about the Iran war?
He calls it an illegal war of choice, warns it is becoming “our next forever war,” urges Congress to cut off funding, and argues it has driven up diesel prices at home.

Sources

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