White House Delays Congressional Briefing on Iran Strikes

The recent delay has intensified scrutiny over the administration's communication with Congress.

The Trump administration has drawn ire from Democratic lawmakers following the postponement of significant classified briefings regarding the recent U.S. military strikes against Iran. According to sources familiar with the matter, the briefings, which were to involve key White House and intelligence officials, were to provide critical insights into the strikes against three Iranian nuclear sites and subsequent retaliatory actions by Iran against an American military base in Qatar.

The Capitol Hill sessions had been scheduled for Tuesday but have now been rescheduled to late in the week. The Senate briefing is now set for Thursday, while the House briefing has been pushed to Friday, according to officials who spoke on condition of anonymity. This decision comes at a time of heightened tension in the Middle East, following a newly negotiated cease-fire between Iran and Israel, which President Trump announced prior to his departure for the NATO summit in the Netherlands.

The War Powers Resolution of 1973 mandates that the president must consult with Congress within a defined timeframe following military engagements, a requirement that many senior Democrats are now demanding be upheld. The delayed briefings have sparked outrage, as lawmakers express frustration over the administration’s failure to share vital information with Congress regarding the defense operations initiated under President Trump's constitutional authority. In a memo sent to lawmakers on Monday evening, Trump stated the strikes aimed to protect U.S. citizens and interests both domestically and abroad.