{"id":2231,"date":"2026-03-04T05:23:20","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T05:23:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/2231\/"},"modified":"2026-03-04T05:23:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T05:23:20","slug":"lawmakers-demand-answers-on-trump-administrations-iran-war-strategy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/2231\/","title":{"rendered":"Lawmakers demand answers on Trump administration’s Iran war strategy"},"content":{"rendered":"

WASHINGTON (AP) \u2014 Tensions flared as questions mounted at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday over the Trump<\/a> administration\u2019s shifting rationale<\/a> for war with Iran<\/a> as lawmakers demand answers over the strategy, exit plan and costs to Americans in lives and dollars for what is quickly becoming a widening Middle East conflict<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Trump officials made their case at the Capitol during a second day of closed-door briefings, this time with all members of the House and Senate ahead of a looming war powers resolution<\/a> vote intended to restrict Trump\u2019s ability to continue the joint U.S.-Israel campaign<\/a> against Iran.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe president determined we were not going to get hit first. It\u2019s that simple,\u201d Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a testy exchange with reporters at the Capitol.<\/p>\n

Rubio pushed back on his own suggestion<\/a> a day earlier that Trump decided to strike Iran because Israel was ready to act first. Instead, he said Trump made the decision to attack this past weekend because it presented a unique opportunity with maximum chance for success.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no way in the world that this terroristic regime was going to get nuclear weapons, not under Donald Trump\u2019s watch,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The sudden pivot to a U.S. wartime footing has disrupted the political and policy agenda on Capitol Hill and raised uneasy questions about the risks ahead for a prolonged conflict and regime change after the killing of Iran\u2019s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei<\/a>. At least six U.S. military service personnel have died<\/a> so far. <\/p>\n

The situation has intensified the push in Congress for the war powers resolution<\/a> \u2014 among the most consequential votes a lawmaker can take, with the war well underway \u2014 as administration officials are telling lawmakers they will likely need supplemental funds to pay for the conflict. It comes at the start of a highly competitive midterm election season<\/a> that will test Trump\u2019s slim GOP control of Congress.<\/p>\n

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer left the closed hearing, saying he was concerned about \u201cmission creep\u201d in a long war.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Defense<\/p>\n

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arrives for a briefing for lawmakers on Iran at a secure room in the basement of the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (AP Photo\/J. Scott Applewhite)<\/p>\n

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arrives for a briefing for lawmakers on Iran at a secure room in the basement of the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (AP Photo\/J. Scott Applewhite)<\/p>\n

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Senators demand answers, and some cheer Trump on <\/p>\n

Senators spent the morning grilling Trump officials during an Armed Services Committee hearing over Rubio\u2019s claim<\/a> Monday that the president, believing that Israel was ready to act, decided it was better for the U.S. to launch a preemptive strike to prevent Iran\u2019s potential retaliation on American military bases and interests abroad.<\/p>\n

Sen. Angus King, the independent from Maine, said it\u2019s \u201cvery disturbing\u201d that Trump took the U.S. to war because Israel\u2019s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu<\/a> wanted to bomb Iran. Past U.S. presidents, he said, \u201chave consistently said, \u2018No.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Defense official Elbridge Colby told senators the president directed the military campaign to destroy Iranian missiles and deny the country nuclear weapons.<\/p>\n

Trump himself disputed the idea that Israel had forced his hand. In his own Oval Office remarks, he said, \u201cI might might have forced their hand.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, a Trump ally from Oklahoma, said the president \u201cdid the world a favor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow about we say, \u2018Thank you, Mr. President, for finally getting rid of this nuisance,\u2019\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

But Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., demanded to know how this fits into Trump\u2019s \u201cAmerica First\u201d campaign promise not to commit U.S. troops to protracted military campaigns abroad.<\/p>\n

Trump has suggested the war could drag on, and has not ruled out sending American troops into Iran.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2019America First\u2019 and \u2018peace through strength\u2019 are served by rolling back \u2014 as the military campaign is designed to do \u2014 the threats posed,\u201d Colby responded. \u201cThis is certainly not nation-building. This is not going to be endless.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Senate<\/p>\n

\n Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., arrives for a briefing for Senators on Iran at a secure room in the basement of the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (AP Photo\/J. Scott Applewhite)\n <\/p>\n

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., arrives for a briefing for Senators on Iran at a secure room in the basement of the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (AP Photo\/J. Scott Applewhite)<\/p>\n

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\"Senate<\/p>\n

\n Senate Intelligence Committee Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., speaks to reporters following a House and Senate Intelligence Committees briefing about the war in Iran at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, March 2, 2026. (AP Photo\/Manuel Balce Ceneta)\n <\/p>\n

Senate Intelligence Committee Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., speaks to reporters following a House and Senate Intelligence Committees briefing about the war in Iran at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, March 2, 2026. (AP Photo\/Manuel Balce Ceneta)<\/p>\n

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What\u2019s next for the Iranian regime and its people<\/p>\n

Questions are growing over who will lead Iran after the death of Khamenei, who has ruled the country for decades, and worries of a leadership vacuum that creates unrest.<\/p>\n

Democrats warned against sending U.S. military troops into Iran after more than two decades of war in Iraq and Afghanistan in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. <\/p>\n

\u201cI am more fearful than ever we may be putting boots on the ground,\u201d said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., after the closed briefing.<\/p>\n

And while House Republicans applauded in support of the Trump administration\u2019s operations, warning signs flared.<\/p>\n

Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, said he supports the operation, for now. \u201cMy flag starts going up, the longer this goes, my flag starts going up, the more there\u2019s boots on the ground,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Many lawmakers expressed concern over the number of Americans calling their offices seeking help evacuating from the region as the war spreads. \u201cIt\u2019s getting worse, not better,\u201d said Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., a former Army Ranger. <\/p>\n

Trump, in calling for Iranians to seize this opportunity to take back their country, has acknowledged the uncertainty. <\/p>\n

\u201cMost of the people we had in mind are dead,\u201d Trump said Tuesday. He also panned the idea of elevating Reza Pahlavi, the exiled crown prince of Iran\u2019s last shah, to take over in Iran.<\/p>\n

Republicans insist it\u2019s not for the Americans to decide the future of Iran.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s going to be largely up to the Iranian people,\u201d said Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican. <\/p>\n

House Speaker Mike Johnson said flatly, \u201cWe have no ability to get into the nation-building business.\u201d <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"President<\/p>\n

President Donald Trump departs after a Medal of Honor ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Monday, March 2, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Alex Brandon)<\/p>\n

President Donald Trump departs after a Medal of Honor ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Monday, March 2, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Alex Brandon)<\/p>\n

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War powers resolutions become a consequential vote <\/p>\n

Both the House and Senate are preparing to vote on war powers resolutions that would restrain Trump\u2019s ability to continue waging war on Iran without approval from Congress.<\/p>\n

Under the U.S. Constitution, it\u2019s up to Congress, not the president, to decide when the country goes to war. But lawmakers often shirk that duty, enabling the executive branch to amass more power to send the military into combat without congressional approval.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are we spending billions of dollars to bomb Iran?\u201d said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who said there would be strong support from Democrats for the resolution.<\/p>\n

But Johnson has said it would be \u201cfrightening\u201d and \u201cdangerous\u201d to tie the president\u2019s hands at this time, when the U.S. is already engaged in combat.<\/p>\n

Other lawmakers have suggested that if Congress does not vote to restrain Trump, it should next consider an Authorization of the Use of Military Force, which would require lawmakers to go on record with affirmative support for the Iran operation.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe reason why there\u2019s so much consternation on our side is because President Trump has not given us a clear reason why he is in Iran,\u201d said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. \u201cIf he wants to declare war on Iran, that is the job and responsibility of Congress under the Constitution.\u201d<\/p>\n

Former President George W. Bush sought, and received, authorization from Congress to launch the post-9\/11 wars.<\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

Associated Press writers Stephen Groves and Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"WASHINGTON (AP) \u2014 Tensions flared as questions mounted at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday over the Trump administration\u2019s…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2232,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[1858,41,989,38,1861,197,1683,34,196,199,1867,1866,1864,210,1860,1857,81,1868,1863,782,1865,1862,323,1859,771,82],"class_list":{"0":"post-2231","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-iran","8":"tag-angus-king","9":"tag-benjamin-netanyahu","10":"tag-diplomacy","11":"tag-donald-trump","12":"tag-elizabeth-warren","13":"tag-general-news","14":"tag-george-w-bush","15":"tag-iran","16":"tag-iran-war","17":"tag-israel-government","18":"tag-jason-crow","19":"tag-john-thune","20":"tag-kirsten-gillibrand","21":"tag-marco-rubio","22":"tag-markwayne-mullin","23":"tag-mike-johnson","24":"tag-politics","25":"tag-reza-pahlavi","26":"tag-richard-blumenthal","27":"tag-u-s-news","28":"tag-u-s-republican-party","29":"tag-united-states-congress","30":"tag-united-states-government","31":"tag-united-states-senate","32":"tag-washington-news","33":"tag-world-news"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@iran\/116169238366853793","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2231","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2231"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2231\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2232"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2231"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2231"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2231"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}