WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senior Pentagon officials told congressional staff there was no intelligence indicating Iran planned to attack U.S. forces first before President Donald Trump ordered major strikes, according to two sources familiar with the briefings.
During closed-door sessions lasting more than 90 minutes, administration officials briefed Democratic and Republican staff from national security committees in both chambers. According to Reuters, officials emphasized Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities and regional proxy forces posed ongoing threats but acknowledged there was no intelligence suggesting Tehran intended to strike U.S. forces preemptively.
The acknowledgment appeared to contrast with earlier public statements from senior officials who said Trump launched the attacks partly due to indicators Iran might target American forces in the Middle East. Trump has said the campaign, which U.S. officials indicate could continue for weeks, aims to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to degrade its missile infrastructure.
Democrats have criticized the operation as a “war of choice,” questioning the decision to abandon diplomacy. Trump has also argued Iran was nearing the capability to strike the United States with a ballistic missile, though Reuters reported U.S. intelligence assessments did not support that claim.
U.S. Central Command confirmed three American service members have been killed and five seriously wounded since operations began. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found 27% of Americans approve of the strikes, while 43% disapprove.
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