Mayor Zohran Mamdani will not be a fan of what he’s referred to as an “illegal war of aggression” on Iran — however on Tuesday, he confused his criticism of the joint U.S./Israel air strikes shouldn’t be confused with a protection of the oppressive regime.
Mamdani described Iran’s authorities as “brutal” and repressive whereas cautioning towards U.S.-led regime change within the nation. He additionally repeated there are at present no particular threats to NYC regardless of heightened international tensions and elevated safety measures.
His remarks observe days of escalating navy battle involving Iran, Israel, and the US which have prompted safety critiques in main cities nationwide. Within the metropolis, officers have elevated patrols at delicate places, together with homes of worship and diplomatic websites, out of what Mamdani referred to as “an abundance of caution.”
President Donald Trump introduced on Mar. 3 that potential new leaders of Iran have been killed within the U.S.-Israeli bombing marketing campaign that started on Saturday, warning that the following management could possibly be “as bad” because the final. In a letter to Congress, Trump framed the strikes as defending U.S. forces, advancing nationwide pursuits, and defending regional allies, together with Israel, whereas acknowledging the scope of future operations stays unsure.
For the reason that marketing campaign started Saturday with the killing of Iran’s Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, near 800 folks have died throughout the area, in response to state media, citing the Iranian Pink Crescent. Six American troopers have died in fight by way of March 2, in response to U.S. Central Command.
An EA-18G Growler digital warfare plane prepares to launch from the flight deck of the U.S. Navy Nimitz-class plane service USS Abraham Lincoln in assist of the Operation Epic Fury assault on Iran from an undisclosed location March 2, 2026.U.S. Navy/Handout through REUTERS
However the mayor additionally warned towards repeating what he described because the devastating penalties of prior U.S. wars within the area pursued with the aim of regime change.
“I may be a young mayor, but I am old enough to remember the devastating consequences of our country pursuing a war with the intent of regime change in that very same region,” he stated.
Since World Battle II, successive U.S. administrations have repeatedly intervened to topple governments within the area — from Iran in 1953, to Afghanistan in 2001, Iraq in 2003, and Libya in 2011 — typically with long-term instability following these efforts.
The NYPD has stepped up seen presence throughout the 5 boroughs, he stated, although he emphasised there are at present no identified or credible threats to share with the general public.
“At this time, there are no threats to share,” Mamdani stated. “Everything that we are doing is out of an abundance of caution.”
He stated he has remained in fixed communication with the police commissioner and emergency administration officers to make sure coordination and preparedness, notably as Jewish and Muslim New Yorkers observe main non secular holidays.
“This is also a time when there is a sense of anxiety about whether New Yorkers can celebrate themselves their faiths, in a moment of such anxiety and tumult across the world, and we are taking the steps to ensure that our police officers are present, they are visible, and reassuring New Yorkers that they do not need to sacrifice an ounce of themselves to be safe in this city,” Mamdani stated. “They can be the fullest versions of themselves, and I’m thankful of the work of the men and women of the NYPD in making that the case.”
Mamdani speaks about safety clearance
Mamdani additionally addressed questions on his federal safety clearance, confirming that he’s nonetheless going by way of the usual vetting course of, as first reported by Metropolis & State. He stated the timeline, which may take months, is routine and has not impeded metropolis operations.
“There are a number of members of my senior staff who do have that clearance,” he stated, together with Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch and his chief counsel, Ramzi Kassem. “This is in no way impeded our abilities to respond both to the day-to-day needs of New Yorkers, as well as to respond to the current crisis at hand.”
The mayor added that he has not spoken with the president since final week’s Oval Workplace assembly, however stated metropolis management stays totally geared up to handle any developments associated to the worldwide state of affairs.
Whereas the mayor of New York Metropolis just isn’t a federal official, the place historically consists of entry to categorised briefings on terrorism threats and different nationwide safety issues affecting the nation’s largest metropolis.
His pending clearance just isn’t with out precedent. Former Mayor Invoice de Blasio didn’t obtain a federal safety clearance till months into his first time period, regardless of the place’s conventional entry to categorised briefings on terrorism threats and different nationwide safety issues affecting the town. Former Mayor Eric Adams briefly misplaced a few of his federal safety clearance following his 2024 federal indictment.
