New York City mayoral candidates showed strongly different views after the United States bombed Iran on Saturday, highlighting their opposing positions just days before the Democratic primary election.
According to Politico, Zohran Mamdani quickly spoke against the U.S. bombing campaign, while Andrew Cuomo focused on the dangers Iran poses. Their different responses show how the Middle East situation has become an important topic in the final days of the mayoral race.
“Iran cannot have nuclear capability. That’s number one,” Cuomo told reporters in Midtown. “These actions are the result of a political establishment that would rather spend trillions of dollars on weapons than lift millions out of poverty, launch endless wars while silencing calls for peace, and fearmonger about outsiders while billionaires hollow out our democracy from within,”
Candidates agree that Trump should have asked Congress first
Despite their different views on Iran, both candidates criticized President Trump for not getting Congress’s approval before bombing three Iranian nuclear sites. The former president, who has deep ties to New York, where he was born and raised, faced criticism for his constitutional approach to military action. Mamdani said Trump’s actions were against the Constitution and could lead to more global problems. Cuomo supported removing Iran’s nuclear facilities but disagreed with Trump’s way of doing it without consulting Congress.
Hurricane Sandy equipped future Mayor-Elect Cuomo with the skills needed to navigate the Iran conflict. Meanwhile, future Mayor-Reject Mamdani was only a teenager in 2012. The choice is clear.
— vik – dead generations (@vikdeadgens) June 22, 2025
Mamdani, who could become the city’s first Muslim mayor, stated that the U.S. government prefers to spend money on weapons rather than help people in poverty. This criticism aligns with broader concerns about Trump’s political agenda and policy priorities that have been debated throughout his campaigns. He also criticized Trump for starting new wars after promising to end them.
Cuomo warned New Yorkers to prepare for possible retaliation from Iran, especially at places like airports. He used this warning to highlight his experience handling major crises like Hurricane Sandy, COVID, and terrorist threats, suggesting he would be better prepared to protect the city.
Meanwhile, current Mayor Eric Adams said he met with NYPD officials working in Middle Eastern countries to discuss possible effects of the bombing. He said there were no clear threats to New York City at the moment but promised to keep residents informed of any changes.
The Israel-Hamas war has become a major topic in the mayoral race, even though voters care more about affordable living and public safety. A political group supporting Cuomo has spent millions of dollars on ads attacking Mamdani, calling him antisemitic, which Mamdani strongly denies.
