Washington: US President Donald Trump has told lawmakers it is not yet possible to know the “full scope and duration” of US military strikes on Iran, as scrutiny intensifies in Congress over the objectives and legal basis of the operation.
In an unclassified letter sent to Capitol Hill, Trump admitted that he had ordered sweeping airstrikes targeting Iran’s top leadership and key military infrastructure.
His argument in the letter was that the action has been taken to advance American national interests and eliminate Iran as a global threat, even as members of his administration have argued the strikes were necessary to counter an “imminent threat”.
The president said the operation was designed to “neutralize Iran’s malign activities.” The notification came as the House and Senate prepared to vote on measures that could require congressional authorization for continued military engagement.
According to the letter, the strikes targeted Iran’s missile stockpiles, nuclear programme and naval assets. Trump said the mission aimed to protect the US homeland and American forces in the region and to “advance vital United States national interests, including ensuring the free flow of maritime commerce through the Strait of Hormuz.”
The letter did not outline any plans to overthrow the leadership in Tehran, although Trump had earlier urged Iranians to “take over your government” as US forces launched initial strikes on February 28.
In his formal communication notifying lawmakers, Trump said the threat posed by Iran had become “untenable” despite attempts to pursue a diplomatic solution.
The notification was submitted as Congress prepared to consider a war powers resolution that could limit the president’s authority to continue military operations without explicit approval. Lawmakers who attended a classified briefing by senior officials said questions remained about the administration’s longer-term strategy.
The United States and Israel began striking Iranian targets on Saturday. Tehran responded with missile and drone attacks on Israel and Gulf states aligned with Washington.
In letter addresssed to Senate President Pro Tempore Chuck Grassley, Trump wrote that Iran “remains one of the largest, if not the largest, state-sponsors of terrorism in the world”.
He added that Iran “continues to seek the means to possess and employ nuclear weapons”.
“Its array of ballistic, cruise, anti-ship and other missiles pose a direct threat to and are attacking US forces, commercial vessels and civilians, as well as those of our allies and partners,” the letter stated.
Trump emphasised that no US ground forces had been deployed as part of the operation.
On the contrary, several Democrats and Republicans have questioned whether the president exceeded his constitutional authority by launching strikes without prior congressional approval.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as well as senior officials tried to pacify members of Congress and justified the action
