No one outside of Iran—and not many there—is going to miss Ayatollah Khamenei. Nevertheless, the war is controversial for the following reasons:
1. Neither historical precedents nor common sense suggest that a meaningful regime change is possible without a ground assault and an occupation.
2. If, somehow, meaningful regime change does occur, there is no guarantee that it will improve conditions for the Iranian people or the rest of the world.
3. Since there was no imminent danger from Iran, and the cost of the war is likely to be significant, the Constitution demands that it be authorized by Congress. The war is just another power grab by an authoritarian who wants to show the world that he is the boss.
And the case for the war? For that, see my next post.