March 24, 2026
City Council
DATE: March 24, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Councilmember Soheila Bana
Subject:
Stop Iran War Resolution
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Adoption of this resolution has no direct fiscal impact on the City of Richmond. The resolution does, however,
speak to the broader public -policy consequences of
federal war spending and notes that a hypothetical $50
billion war allocation would amount to an estimated $17 million on a per -capita basis for Richmond that could
otherwise support pressing domestic priorities.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
March 3, 2026
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The proposed resolution expresses the City of Richmond’s opposition to the expanding U.S. war on Iran and
condemns reported attacks on civilians and civilian
infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, residential areas, and energy infrastructure.
Reuters has reported a likely U.S. strike on a girls’ school in Minab, damage to Gandhi Hospital in Tehran, and
attacks affecting residential areas and fuel and refinery infrastructure in Tehran. These reported attacks raise
urgent concerns under the U.N. Char ter and international humanitarian law.
AGENDA
REPORT
March 24, 2026
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution opposing the U.S. war on Iran,
condemning attacks by the United States and Israel on
civilians and civilian infrastructure in Iran, calling for immediate de-escalation and diplomacy, urging Congress
to exercise its constitutional war powers, and calling for an arms embargo on Israel - Councilmember Soheila Bana
(510-672-3490).
DISCUSSION:
The City of Richmond has long affirmed values of peace, human dignity, solidarity among peoples, and protection of civilian life. This resolution is consistent with those values and with the long tradition of local governments speaking out when federal war -making threatens civilian populations abroad and diverts resources from urgent domestic needs.
Under Article 2(4) of the Charter of the United Nations, states must refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of another state absent lawful justification. International humanitarian law also prohi bits direct attacks on civilians and civilian objects and requires distinction, proportionality, and precautions in attack. Civilian objects, including schools, hospitals, and homes, may not lawfully be targeted as such.
Attacks on critical civilian infr astructure are especially alarming because they can foreseeably deprive civilians of fuel, electricity, medical care, sanitation, communications, and other essentials of life. Under international humanitarian law, such attacks are unlawful when they target civilian objects or inflict disproportionate harm on civilians. This principle is particularly important where strikes affect hospitals, schools, homes, and core energy systems serving the civilian population.
Public statements by senior federal officia ls have heightened concern. Reuters has reported criticism surrounding the administration’s legal justification for the war, and public statements by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth disparaging “rules of engagement” have raised alarm because civilian protections are binding legal obligations, not optional restraints. Reuters has also reported statements by President Donald Trump about shaping Iran’s future leadership and encouraging attacks by Iranian Kurdish forces, raising additional concerns about Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
This resolution is both a moral and policy statement. First, it states Richmond’s opposition to aggressive war and to attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. Even in armed conflict, the laws of war prohibi t direct attacks on civilians and require that military operations distinguish between military targets and civilian objects. Schools, hospitals, and residential neighborhoods are entitled to protection, and attacks on critical civilian infrastructure may be unlawful when they primarily harm civilians or cause disproportionate civilian suffering.
March 24, 2026
Second, the resolution recognizes the domestic cost of war. At a time when Richmond and communities across the United States urgently need greater investment in healthcare, affordable housing, education, infrastructure, climate resilience, and jobs, allocating $50 billion to war would represent a profound misallocation of public resources.
Based on Richmond’s July 1, 2024 , population estimate of 115,353 and the U. S. population estimate of 340,110,988, Richmond’s per -capita share of such an amount would be approximately $17 million.
Third, the resolution urges Congress to exercise its constitutional war powers and calls for immediate de-escalation and diplomacy. It also calls for an arms embargo on Israel in light of the role of U.S. weapons transfers in fueling ongoing regional war and civilian suffering.
This item reflects widespread public concern regarding war, civilian harm, and the diversion of national resources away from local needs. The resolution is also aligned with Richmond’s stated values of peace, human dignity, and the protection of civilian life.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Resolution
Attachment 2 – Images Document showing war-related destruction in civilian sites in Iran, including Shajareh Tayebeh Elementary School in Minab, Gandhi Hospital in Tehran, and the Tehran refinery