City of
Richmon
AGENDA
City Council REPORT
DATE: June 17, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM: Councilmember Soheila Bana
Mayor Eduardo Martinez (co-sponsor)
Subject: Resolution Calling for Diplomacy, Peace, and Nuclear (This will appear on the agenda) Transparency in Response to Escalating Hostilities Between Israel and Iran
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with the adoption of this resolution.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL None
ACTION:
STATEMENT OF THE The City of Richmond has long demonstrated its ISSUE: commitment to peace, human rights, and international justice through resolutions addressing global conflicts and supporting nonviolence. Richmond has historically stood with vulnerable communities impacted by war,
displacement, and foreign aggression.
On June 12, 2025, the Israeli government, a nuclear-
armed state outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), launched a military attack on Iran, an NPT
signatory state. This attack targeted civilian infrastructure and resulted in the tragic loss of life and widespread
damage. Iran responded with military retaliation, further escalating the conflict and increasing the toll on civilians on both sides.
June 17, 2025
This attack occurred during an active diplomatic process between Iran and the United States aimed at removing
U.S. sanctions on Iran in exchange for assurances that
Iran would not pursue the armed use of its nuclear
capabilities. The strike has thus not only endangered
civilian lives but also disrupted a critical path toward peaceful resolution and non-proliferation.
The international community, including local
municipalities, has a moral obligation to speak out against violations of international law and to advocate for peaceful resolutions. In doing so, we affirm our solidarity with all people affected by war-regardless of nationality-and
reaffirm our shared human values.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: ADOPT a resolution calling for diplomacy, peace, and nuclear transparency in response to the June 12, 2025
military strike by Israel on Iran and the subsequent
escalation, urging all parties to cease hostilities, reaffirm international law, and protect civilian lives. Councilmember Soheila Bana (510-672-3490). Mayor Eduardo Martinez
(510-620-6503).
DISCUSSION:
The City of Richmond has long demonstrated its commitment to peace, human rights, and international justice through resolutions addressing global conflicts and supporting nonviolence. Richmond has historically stood with vulnerable communities impacted by war, displacement, and foreign aggression.
On June 12, 2025, the Israeli government, a nuclear-armed state outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), launched a military attack on Iran, an NPT signatory state.
This attack targeted civilian infrastructure and resulted in the tragic loss of life and widespread damage. Iran responded with military retaliation, further escalating the conflict and increasing the toll on civilians on both sides.
This attack occurred during an active diplomatic process between Iran and the United States aimed at removing U.S. sanctions on Iran in exchange for assurances that Iran would not pursue the armed use of its nuclear capabilities. The strike has thus not only endangered civilian lives but also disrupted a critical path toward peaceful resolution and non-proliferation.
June 17, 2025
The international community, including local municipalities, has a moral obligation to speak out against violations of international law and to advocate for peaceful resolutions.
In doing so, we affirm our solidarity with all people affected by war-regardless of nationality-and reaffirm our shared human values.
The proposed resolution:
• Condemns military aggression by nuclear-armed states against non-nuclear NPT signatories.
• Mourns the deaths and injuries of civilians in both Israel and Iran. • Calls for an immediate end to hostilities and the resumption of diplomacy under international oversight.
• Urges the U.S. government, under President Donald J. Trump, to avoid military entanglement and support peace efforts.
• Highlights the importance of nuclear transparency and the universal application of IAEA standards.
• Reaffirms Richmond's commitment to inclusivity, anti-war values, and the safety and dignity of its diverse communities, including Iranian-American, Jewish, and Arab residents.
The resolution aligns with Richmond's values and prior actions to promote peace, justice, and international solidarity. It also calls attention to the role of local governments in fostering a global culture of diplomacy over militarization.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 - Resolution
June 17, 2025
RESOLUTION NO._
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND
CALLING FOR DIPLOMACY, PEACE, AND NUCLEAR TRANSPARENCY IN
RESPONSE TO ESCALATING HOSTILITIES BETWEEN ISRAEL AND IRAN WHEREAS, the City of Richmond has a longstanding commitment to peace, justice, human rights, and international law, and has historically opposed acts of aggression that endanger civilian lives and escalate conflict; and
WHEREAS, on June 12, 2025, the government of Israel, a nuclear-armed state that is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), launched an unprovoked military strike on Iran, a non-nuclear NPT signatory, targeting civilian infrastructure and causing significant casualties and destruction; and
WHEREAS, the Islamic Republic of Iran subsequently responded with military retaliation, leading to further escalation and tragic loss of life and injury among civilians on both sides; and WHEREAS. the City of Richmond mourns the deaths and injuries of innocent civilians—whether Israeli, Iranian, or of any nationality—and affirms that the dignity and safety of human life must take precedence over geopolitical interests; and
WHEREAS, war and military aggression should never serve as a gateway for communication between nations. Only diplomacy, mutual respect, and negotiation can lay the foundation for peace. The militarization of foreign policy overwhelmingly benefits the arms industry while bringing devastation to families and communities; and
WHEREAS, Israel's possession of nuclear weapons outside of the NPT framework, exemption from International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) oversight, sets a dangerous global precedent and undermines international non-proliferation norms.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Richmond:
1. Condemns the use of military force by nuclear-armed states against non-nuclear signatories, and affirms that such acts violate international law and global stability;
2. Recognizes the human toll of escalating conflict and expresses sorrow for the loss of all civilian lives, Israeli and Iranian alike;
3. Calls on all governments, including the governments of Israel and Iran, to immediately cease hostilities and return to diplomatic dialogue under international supervision;
4. Urges the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, and the U.S. government to refrain from any military involvement and to use its influence to facilitate negotiations, not escalate tensions;
5. Supports a renewed international commitment to nuclear transparency, universal IAEA oversight, and strict adherence to the principles of the NPT by all states;
6. Affirms the rights and safety of Iranian-American, Jewish, Arab, and all global communities in Richmond affected by foreign conflicts, and pledges to oppose war, xenophobia, and hate in all forms.
******************
***THE CLERK'S OFFICE WILL COMPLETE THE INFORMATION BELOW* * * * I certify that the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Richmond at a regular meeting thereof held on Mmmm dd, yyyy, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
Reso. No.
ABSENT:
CLERK OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND
(SEAL)
Approved:
Mayor
Approved as to form:
City Attorney
State of California }
County of Contra Costa : SS.
City of Richmond }
I certify that the foregoing is a true copy of Resolution No. _ finally passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Richmond at a regular meeting held on Mmmm dd, уУуу.
Pamela Christian, Clerk of the City of Richmond
Reso. No.