By Micah Jonah
March 11, 2026
Several members of the Democratic Party in the United States have criticized the administration of Donald Trump for failing to clearly explain the objectives of the ongoing war with Iran, even after classified briefings to lawmakers.
The criticism followed a closed door briefing to the US Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington, where lawmakers were updated on military operations.
Speaking after the session, Senator Richard Blumenthal said he left the meeting “dissatisfied and angry”, noting that key questions about the justification, cost and long term strategy of the war remain unanswered.
Blumenthal warned that the United States could be moving towards deploying ground troops in the region, raising concerns about the safety of American personnel and the potential escalation of the conflict.
Another senator, Elizabeth Warren, also criticized the administration, saying officials had not clearly explained reasons for entering the war or how they intend to achieve their objectives.
She pointed to the financial burden of the conflict, noting that military operations against Iran may have already cost more than 5.6 billion dollars in the first two days alone.
Senator Jacky Rosen described the briefing as “disturbing”, adding that lawmakers were still uncertain about the administration’s long term plans for the conflict.
The war, which began on February 28, has already resulted in significant casualties across the region. According to reports, more than 1,200 people have been killed in Iran, alongside casualties in Lebanon, Israel, Iraq and Gulf countries.
Meanwhile, the US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, has indicated that military operations would continue until Iran is “totally and decisively defeated”.
Democratic lawmakers have pledged to increase pressure on the administration by delaying legislative proceedings in the Senate until senior officials from the Defense Department and the State Department testify under oath about the war.
Under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, US Presidents must seek congressional approval or withdraw forces within 60 to 90 days if military action is not formally authorized by Congress.
Despite the criticism, the Trump administration maintains that the military campaign is necessary to counter threats linked to Iran’s nuclear, missile programmes. However, critics argue that the government has yet to present clear evidence to support those claims.
