Arash

I fully condemn the hateful rhetoric, lies, cruel and deliberate misinformation, and threats that my family, my staff, and I have been subjected to since the Iran War began nearly 8 weeks ago. These coordinated attacks and threats have only continued to worsen, most recently after I introduced Articles of Impeachment against Pete Hegseth. This conduct has crossed the line into threats to our physical safety, which we have reported to law enforcement. Bad actors have tried to smear my family and staff by circulating fake and AI-generated images and flat-out lying that my parents and I are not U.S. citizens. They have pushed xenophobic and sexist attacks and amplified absurd conspiracy theories about my family. They’ve even gone so far as to spread the outright lie that I am somehow tied to the regime. I will say this once and move on: these absurd allegations are entirely false and I denounce them in the strongest terms. These attacks aren’t about truth; they’re the product of desperation from those trying to distract from a failing, illegal war, rising costs of living, and an administration with no coherent strategy while Americans pay the price at the pump. And while they spread lies, American service members are being put in harm’s way, with real casualties mounting in a war that lacks both justification and direction. Let me reiterate, once again, that I have been unequivocal in my opposition to the brutal Islamic Republic regime, its repression of women, and its support for terrorism. My record on this issue is longstanding and crystal clear. My family has personally experienced the regime’s brutality.  It is in part why I am who I am today: A proud American speaking out for human rights and democracy, the rule of law, and, as a U.S. Congresswoman, the safety and security of Americans. It is also why I know the costs of freedom and stand firm against Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth’s illegal war. As a public figure, I fully expect public criticism and wholly respect Americans' constitutional First Amendment rights to free speech. I understand the high emotions during such a tenuous time for those who have family in both Iran and the United States. But I will not tolerate direct threats levied against my loved ones and staff who did not sign up for the public spotlight. I also won’t be silent as they are targeted, doxxed, and attacked online. This has not been a good-faith policy debate. It is a coordinated effort to smear, intimidate, and silence, and it will not succeed.   My duty is clear: to uphold the Constitution of the United States and to faithfully serve the people of Arizona’s 3rd Congressional District. It is the honor of my life to represent the people of Arizona in Congress, over 75 percent of whom are deeply opposed to this war. I remain committed to doing so with integrity and transparency.

Veterans held red tulips in solidarity with the Iranian people during civil disobedience today in Congress against the war. Over 60 were arrested.

Veterans held red tulips in solidarity with the Iranian people during civil disobedience today in Congress against the war. Over 60 were arrested.

The data isn't wrong. But the interpretation here runs in exactly the wrong direction. The data shows a pre-war Iranian economy already in deep recession, with unsold output piling up in demand-collapsed sectors like cement and construction materials, while the regime's lifeline inventories of fuel and medicine run dangerously thin, the accounting signature of distress, not resilience. Here are some points: 1/5 High-Days-Inventory-Outstanding (DIO) sectors are recession-hit sectors, not stockpiled ones. The chart flags Cement at 176 days, Tile at 135, Electrical Machinery at 225, Metallic Products at 170. These are all construction-linked industries — and independent data shows domestic cement demand fell 7.9% year-on-year, cement output fell 10% in H1 1404, and the Iran Cement Industry Association itself said in February 2026 "the recession continues." When sales collapse, unsold product piles up in yards. That is not a strategic reserve; that is the accounting signature of a housing and construction depression

Broadcasts by the IRGC denigrating Iran’s Foreign Minister and leaked concerns attributed to Iran’s lead negotiator and Speaker of the Parliament are confirming what I’m hearing from regional mediators — Iran’s IRGC is blocking attempts by the civilian leadership to reach a deal.

Araghchi’s tweet reflected an understanding in Tehran, likely based on what they heard from Pakistan, that if they took a positive step by opening Strait of Hormuz, US would reciprocate by lifting the blockade. But Trump kept the blockade in place, and through his many tweets, suggested that Iran was surrendering on the nuclear issue. This has only fed Iran’s suspicions about Trump and that Islamabad like Geneva is a diplomatic ruse before another military attack. The door to diplomacy is not closed, but it has now become considerably more difficult. Deliberately or not, Trump has undermined diplomacy and raised likelihood of more war.