By Micah Jonah, March 2, 2026
Senior officials from the United States Department of Defense told congressional staff in closed-door briefings that there was no intelligence indicating Iran was preparing to attack US forces first, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
The acknowledgment came after the United States and Israel launched a sweeping military campaign against Iran over the weekend, targeting more than 1,000 sites and killing Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, officials say.
Briefings Undercut Public Justification:
According to two individuals briefed on the matter, Pentagon officials emphasized that while Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities and regional proxy forces posed serious threats, there was no specific intelligence suggesting Tehran was about to strike US forces preemptively.
The remarks appeared to contrast with earlier statements from President Donald Trump, who said he ordered the strikes in part because of indicators that Iran might attack American troops in the Middle East.
Trump has argued that the military campaign is necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, curb its missile program and eliminate threats to US interests and allies. He has also urged Iranians to rise against their government.
Lawmakers Raise Concerns:
Democratic lawmakers criticized what they described as a “war of choice,” questioning the administration’s decision to abandon diplomatic efforts that mediator Oman had indicated were still viable.
Sources said claims that Iran was close to developing the capability to strike the United States with a ballistic missile were not supported by existing intelligence assessments.
The Pentagon briefings, which lasted more than 90 minutes, were delivered to both Democratic and Republican staff from key national security committees in the Senate and House of Representatives.
US Casualties Confirmed:
The conflict has already resulted in American casualties. US Central Command reported that three US service members were killed and five seriously wounded, while others sustained minor injuries.
US forces have deployed B-2 stealth bombers and naval assets in the campaign, striking hardened underground facilities and missile sites across Iran.
A new Reuters/Ipsos poll showed that 27% of Americans approve of the strikes, while 43% disapprove and 29% remain undecided underscoring domestic divisions over the military action.
As operations are expected to continue for weeks, scrutiny over the intelligence basis for the war is likely to intensify in Washington.
