Senior members of the Trump administration are scheduled to brief Congress on Tuesday regarding the US-led military strikes against Iran. The briefing will be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The administration has already briefed key committees and engaged with bipartisan staffs of national security committees in both chambers.
Capitol Hill’s reaction to the military strikes has been divided along partisan lines. Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune praised Trump’s decision, emphasizing Iran’s nuclear ambitions and support for terror groups as a significant threat. In contrast, Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized the operation, stating that Trump failed to seek authorization before launching the strike, leaving American troops vulnerable to potential retaliatory actions from Iran.
Reports from major US newspapers have provided insights into the military campaign. According to The New York Times, Israeli and US intelligence officials conducted a “three-wave attack” that targeted the Iranian high command and air defenses. The report highlighted Israeli air superiority over Iran, with jets freely flying over Tehran. Additionally, US forces reportedly targeted the Iranian fleet, with President Trump announcing the destruction of nine Iranian Naval Ships.
The Washington Post, citing US Central Command, mentioned that the US focused on military targets to dismantle Iran’s security apparatus. Strikes on Iran’s intelligence service headquarters reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least four senior commanders. Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reported on Iran’s retaliatory strikes on Gulf states’ airports and critical infrastructure, leading to flight cancellations and disruptions.
The constitutional division of war powers between Congress and the President has been a point of contention, with presidents often relying on their authority as commander-in-chief for military actions. This briefing adds to the ongoing debate over the scope and legality of the military strikes against Iran.
