A classified briefing at the US Capitol leaves lawmakers with little clarity about the purpose, cost and next steps in the US operation against Iran.
Republican Speaker Mike Johnson describes the US attack as a “defensive operation” because he says Israel was determined to act on its own against Iran, “with or without American support.”
Johnson says US President Donald Trump had a “very difficult decision” to make, and determined that Iran would immediately retaliate against US personnel and assets.
But Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, says that “there was no imminent threat to the United States of America by the Iranians. There was a threat to Israel.”
Rubio, Hegseth and others briefed the lawmakers, but Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer says he found their answers “completely and totally insufficient.”
The Trump administration will likely seek supplemental funds from Congress to pay for the operation, they say.
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From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
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