An editorial published by The New York Times on Wednesday cautioned the United States against joining Israel’s war with Iran, warning that such action would bypass constitutional limits on presidential power.

“Our laws are explicit on this point. An unprovoked American attack on Iran – one that could involve massive bombs known as bunker busters – would not be a police action or operation,” the editorial stated. “It would be war.”

To declare it is not the decision of Mr. Netanyahu or Mr. Trump,” the piece continued. “Under the Constitution, Congress alone has that power.”

American military assets in the region remain deployed primarily in a defensive role, assisting Israel in intercepting Iranian missile attacks.

President Donald Trump  has offered mixed signals on taking offensive action.

When asked by reporters at the White House on Wednesday about striking Iran’s nuclear facilities, he said, “I may do it, I may not do it.”

Public opinion appears largely opposed to such action. A recent Economist/YouGov poll found that 60% of Americans do not support going to war.

In support of this cautious approach, the Times cited the 1973 War Powers Resolution, which restricts a president’s authority to use military force without congressional approval—except in cases of a direct attack by a foreign nation.

“This is not such a circumstance,” the editorial argued. “Iran has not attacked the United States,” adding that there is currently bipartisan support to pass a similar resolution.

While the piece strongly opposed any unauthorized US involvement, it acknowledged Trump’s effort to enact a more peaceful foreign policy.

“He spent months advocating diplomacy with Iran and questioned the wisdom of an Israeli attack, let alone an American one,” the editorial read.