New York City mayor Zohran Mamdanicriticised the recent US and Israeli military strikes on Iran, calling them a “catastrophic escalation in an illegal war of aggression.” The mayor’s statement on X came just hours after US President Donald Trump announced the military action on Saturday.“Bombing cities. Killing civilians. Opening a new theatre of war. Americans do not want this. They do not want another war in pursuit of regime change,” Mamdani said in his post. He added, “They want relief from the affordability crisis. They want peace.”Trump had announced in a video that the United States had begun “major combat operations” inside Iran, intending to encourage regime change. The POTUS urged Iranians to seize control of their government once the strikes end.Mamdani’s denunciation came two days after he met with Trump at the White House, where the two leaders discussed issues including housing development in New York City and cooperation on local challenges. Before the session, Mamdani said he had a “productive” talk with the MAGA leader and looked forward to continued work together.The difference between that meeting and his criticism of the Iran strikes shows how Mamdani has had to balance working with the federal government and responding to his political supporters.Mamdani’s comments on foreign policy have occasionally drawn backlash from Republicans. The NYC mayor also urged calm and reassurance for Iranian New Yorkers affected by the conflict. In his statement, he said: “You are part of the fabric of this city — you are our neighbours, small business owners, students, artists, workers, and community leaders. You will be safe here.”Hours before the mayor’s statement, the New York Police Department (NYPD) said it was boosting patrols at sensitive locations, including diplomatic and cultural sites, in response to the military developments abroad.