Capitol Hill is preparing for classified briefings as the White House defends the opening phase of joint US-Israel strikes on Iran, setting up a parallel political fight over whether the operation can continue without a formal congressional vote under US war powers rules.
What is happening on Capitol Hill
According to the live updates, top administration officials are scheduled to brief the Senate and House in closed, classified sessions. The expected lineup includes secretary of state Marco Rubio, defense secretary Pete Hegseth, CIA director John Ratcliffe, and Joint Chiefs chair Dan Cain.
- Senate briefing: 3:30pm ET
- House briefing: 5:00pm ET
The war powers dispute
Senate majority leader John Thune argued that President Trump would not need congressional authorization even if the military action extends beyond 60 days and implicates the War Powers Resolution. Thune also said the administration briefed the Gang of Eight and that he was notified when operations began.
Trump’s message on why the US struck Iran
Trump said Israel did not pressure the US into the initial strikes, claiming instead that he acted because he believed Israel would strike first and he wanted to control the sequence—saying: “If anything, I might have forced Israel’s hand.” The report notes this appeared to contradict earlier framing from Rubio that the US acted after Israel was preparing to strike.
Operational claims and allied reactions highlighted
- CENTCOM said more than 1,700 targets had been hit since Saturday, including missile sites and naval assets.
- The Pentagon’s policy chief, Elbridge Colby, said the killing of Iran’s supreme leader was an Israeli operation and not part of the US campaign, while describing US objectives as limited to missile and related military capabilities.
- Trump threatened to cut off trade with Spain after Spain refused permission for jointly operated bases to be used for strikes, while Spain emphasized sovereignty and treaty framework.
- US lawmakers criticized the State Department over a lack of clear evacuation flight planning for Americans in the region amid airspace closures.
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