Joe Sims, Co-Chair of the Communist Party USA, interviewed by Nameh-ye Mardom, publication of the Tudeh Party of Iran.

Nameh-ye Mardom: First, we would like you to briefly explain the viewpoint of the Communist Party USA on the current international situation and the role and position of U.S. imperialism in these conditions. If you could list three outstanding features to describe the current world situation, what do you think these three most important features of the present era are?

Joe Sims: The current international situation? It’s a broad and challenging question — there’s so much taking place, and we are required to make a concrete analysis of a concrete situation. That said, the international situation is, in a word, extremely dangerous. From our standpoint — and here I have to be cautious because there’s a tendency in our country to act as if the U.S. is the center of the world — the main challenge is the growing fascist danger both domestically and internationally.

After the U.S. attack on Iran, in recent weeks there has been an elevated threat of a wider war in the Middle East. Then there’s the Ukraine war, along with Cold War 2.0 policies aimed at China and the real danger of attempts at regime change in Cuba; these are among the chief challenges.

The danger of another world war is very much present. Let’s remember that the Doomsday Clock is currently set at 85 seconds to midnight. This is the closest humanity has ever been to a symbolic global catastrophe since the clock’s creation in 1947. And then there’s the environmental crisis.

In the U.S., the absence of a sustained peace movement after the Gaza genocide is an ongoing challenge. While a substantial majority in our country opposes Trump’s attack on Iran, this majority sentiment has not resulted in concrete actions aimed at ending the war — with the important exception of recent elections, where anti-war and anti-genocide sentiment has influenced the victory of progressive candidates in many places around the country.

Nameh-ye Mardom: On July 3, in the framework of the start of the 250th Independence Day weekend, Donald Trump addressed the spread of left-wing and socialist ideologies in the United States, framing communism as an ideological threat to the country. He declared that “Communism is a mortal threat to American liberty” and “the greatest threat to our country.” He further stated: “We don’t want communists in our country. Never worked, and it never will work.” Is the CPUSA taking this seriously? Is he declaring a return to the McCarthyism of the 1950s? What are the implications for communist, left, and progressive forces in the U.S. today?

Joe Sims: Red scare politics have long been a staple of the Republican Party; it’s a regular talking point for them. In the past, the GOP has even alleged that both President Obama and President Biden were socialists. Trump and MAGA, however, have taken things to a new level. We see this latest redbaiting offensive as an attempt to rile up their political base to increase voter turnout in preparation for the Congressional elections in November.

Does it represent a new McCarthyism? The GOP is now organizing a Congressional investigation of some left groups’ alleged ties with China. So yes, we take it very seriously. At the same time, we don’t think these tactics will go over well with the broad U.S. public. Anti-communism, while not a spent force, has much less traction than in the past. In many respects, it’s a new day in the U.S., and the American people aren’t stupid.

Nameh-ye Mardom: How do you evaluate the relationship between the United States and Israel? Has public opinion in the United States changed regarding the fascist government of Israel compared to the past?

Joe Sims: Israel remains U.S. imperialism’s proxy — and not vice versa. It’s important to understand who’s the dominant partner in the relationship. Some have alleged that Netanyahu forced Trump into attacking Iran, but in our view, that’s likely a fable.

And yes, it’s clear that the Gaza genocide has precipitated a huge shift in U.S. public opinion. In 2016, Israel was favored over Palestine by a margin of 62% to 15%.

By 2025, support for Israel fell below the 50% mark for the first time in Gallup’s modern tracking (46% vs. 33%). In early 2026, Gallup recorded a statistical crossover, with 41% of Americans sympathizing more with the Palestinians and 36% with the Israelis — driven heavily by an accelerating shift among political independents and younger generations.

Nameh-ye Mardom: What do you think were the main goals of the two joint military attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran during the nuclear negotiations, and then the third military attack by the United States on Iran since July 7 after the signing of the memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States? What goals are the U.S. and Israel seeking to achieve in Western Asia by militarily attacking Iran?

Joe Sims: The main goals of the two military attacks? It’s a good question. If the goal was to eliminate Iran’s nuclear capacity, the U.S. attack is likely to have the opposite effect. After all, why, after such duplicitous negotiating tactics, would anyone ever enter into an agreement with such an adversary? Indeed, in such circumstances, why would any country relinquish its ability to have a nuclear deterrent? To us, it makes no sense.

Nameh-ye Mardom: Did the U.S. and Israel achieve their goals by militarily attacking Iran? If not, how do you assess the future of developments? President Trump had threatened to launch a nuclear attack on Iran. How serious do you assess this threat?

Joe Sims: Does the White House have a clear goal? Many are asking the same question, and the answer seems to change depending on which side of the bed Mr. Trump has woken up on. If the goal was eliminating Iran’s ability to have a nuclear weapon, I doubt it but only the future will tell. Personally, I think it’s difficult to put the nuclear genie back in the bottle. At the end of the day, the question requires a political solution — it’s not possible to solve it militarily.

As for Trump’s threats: we take them very seriously. Look, Trump and those around him are of a neo-fascist mindset. This is not hyperbole. It’s important to understand that we’re not dealing with bourgeois politics in the normal sense. These forces are a different breed.

Nameh-ye Mardom: The midterm elections will be held in the U.S. in November. What is your prediction about the results of these elections? Will the outcome of the elections lead to a limitation of the powers of President Trump, especially his powers regarding war with Iran?

Joe Sims: The generic ballot suggests that if the election were held today, the MAGA forces would lose the House of Representatives, where polling says the Democratic Party holds a 5% advantage. The Senate is a steeper climb, but it’s possible that it can be won as well. However, no one knows if the White House will respect the election results. It’s an open question. We are in a very, very dangerous situation, and all eventualities have to be prepared for.

The important thing here is that the anti-MAGA movement is growing in strength. And the labor movement is playing an increasingly active role — that’s decisive to defeat the MAGA right.

Thanks for the opportunity to share our views with your audience. And please extend our deepest respect and solidarity to the members of Tudeh and to the Iranian people. Together, and with the working class and people of the world, we will overcome the present challenges.

Images: Dallas says: NO WAR ON IRAN! CodePink/Facebook. No war with Iran by Carl Roose/American Friends Service Committee.  CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.