Is it your interpretation that the Catholic Church believes a country cannot morally engage in war unless it is attacked first?

And by "attacked first," does that mean militarily by conventional understanding, or do these count?:

Nov 1979–Jan 1981: Tehran Hostage Crisis: Iranian students seized the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking 66 Americans hostage for 444 days
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Apr 1983: Beirut Embassy Bombing: An Iran-backed group conducted a suicide bombing at the U.S. embassy in Beirut, killing 17 Americans.

Oct 1983: Beirut Barracks Bombing: Hezbollah terrorists blew up the Marine compound in Beirut, killing 241 U.S. military personnel.

1984–1991: Lebanon Hostage Crisis: Iran-backed Hezbollah systematically kidnapped U.S. personnel, including killing CIA station chief William Buckley.

1985: TWA Flight 847 Hijacking: Hezbollah militants hijacked a U.S. flight, killing a U.S. Navy diver.

1996: Khobar Towers Bombing: Iran-backed Hezbollah Al-Hijaz bombed a U.S. housing complex in Saudi Arabia, killing 19 U.S. Airmen.

2003–2011: Iraq War Proxy Attacks: Iran's Quds Force provided weapons and training to insurgents, killing over 600 U.S. service members, says the FDD report.

Jan 2020: Ballistic Missile Attack: Following the death of Qasem Soleimani, Iran launched missiles at Ain al-Asad Air Base in Iraq, causing traumatic brain injuries to over 100 U.S. troops.

Mar 2023: Syria Drone Strike: An Iranian drone killed an American contractor and wounded five U.S. troops in Syria.

Jan 2024: Jordan Base Attack: Kata'ib Hezbollah launched a drone strike on a U.S. base in Jordan (Tower 22), killing three American soldiers.

2023–2024: Regional Attacks: Between Oct 2023 and Nov 2024, Iranian proxies conducted over 180 attacks against U.S. forces in the Middle East, wounding over 180 personnel.

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Catholicism

That no President prior to DJT has initiated a war in response to the incidents you noted. The terms “Proportional Response” and “Prudential Judgment”…also apply in any contemplation of war.

Link: https://history.state.gov/milestones/1981-1988/lebanon

Perhaps Pope Leo is better suited to discuss theology vs JD Vance.

Link: https://web.sas.upenn.edu/discentes/2024/10/13/practical-just-war-st-augustine-his-framing-of-just-war-theory/