Washington (TDI): Scheduled to make his first press conference on Iran Monday morning, the United States Secretary of War and Pentagon Chief, Pete Hegseth, told the Congress in a closed door briefing that Iran was not planning to attack.
This statement by the Intelligence Chief immediately raises questions on Israel and US’ shared stance that the Saturday morning strikes on Iran were “pre-emptive.”
This briefing also multiplies mounting criticism from inside America, and especially Democrats, that Trump initiated a “war of choice,” for which he did not even consult the Congress.
What started on early hours of Saturday as US-Israel jointly coordinated strikes on multiple political and military targets inside Iran quickly spiraled as Tehran launched missiles on Israel and US bases in Gulf, in retaliation.
Read More: Iran Rules Out Talks with US as Regional Tensions Escalate
An active war now rages on, with Trump hinting it can go on as long as four weeks. With Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dead, a fighting front has also opened up between Hezbollah and Israel, Monday morning.
Hegseth will hold the press conference at 8:00 am local time, and will be accompanied by Dan Caine, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff. On Tuesday, Hegseth will brief the Congress alongside Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.
US lawmakers are criticizing Trump administration for carrying out unauthorized and unapproved strikes on Iran, and starting a war without Congress’ nod.
The sentiment is shared outside of America as well, where the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader in the strikes is being mocked as a transgression and dangerous precedent.
What We Know So Far?
- The Unites States and Israel launched coordinated attacks on multiple locations in Iran, in early hours of Saturday.
- The most significant attack targeted the Iranian Supreme Leader in downtown Tehran; who was at that time chairing a meeting of top officials of the country; 40 of whom were killed in the attack.
- Iran announced and confirmed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death.
- The Israeli military stated that its airstrikes on Iran, carried out in coordination with the US military, targeted dozens of Iranian military sites after months of joint planning.
- Since the attacks, Iran retaliated with two initial waves of missile strikes on Israel, as well as attacks across the Middle East and Gulf; in countries which host US bases.
- Trump has announced “major combat operations” against Iran; which means an active state of war. He also urged Iranian citizens to seize power and overthrow government.
- Three US soldiers were killed in an Iranian attack on America’s base in Kuwait. Trump said more deaths of US personnel may happen.
