No Indication Iran Intended to Strike US First, Pentagon Informs Congress

US administration officials acknowledged in closed-door briefings with congressional staff on Sunday that there was no intelligence indicating Iran planned to attack US forces first, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

This revelation appears to undermine a key justification for the joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran that began on Saturday, which killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, sank Iranian warships, and hit over 1,000 targets so far.

Senior officials had told reporters the previous day that President Donald Trump launched the attacks partly due to indicators that Iranians might strike US forces in the Middle East "perhaps preemptively." One official stated Trump would not "sit back and allow American forces in the region to absorb attacks."

Pentagon Briefings Lasted Over 90 Minutes

Pentagon officials briefed Democratic and Republican staff from several national security committees in both the Senate and House for more than 90 minutes on the unfolding US assault in Iran, according to White House spokesperson Dylan Johnson.

In these sessions, officials emphasized Iran's ballistic missiles and proxy forces as an imminent threat to US interests but confirmed no intelligence suggested Tehran would attack US forces first, the sources told Reuters.

Trump has described the ongoing attack — expected to last weeks — as aimed at ensuring Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon, containing its missile program, and eliminating threats to the US and its allies. He has also urged Iranians to rise up and overthrow their government.

Democrats Criticize 'War of Choice'

Democrats have accused Trump of waging a "war of choice" and questioned his rationale for abandoning peace talks, which mediator Oman indicated still held promise.

Trump has claimed — without evidence — that Iran was on track to develop ballistic missiles capable of striking the US soon. Sources familiar with US intelligence reports say this claim is exaggerated and not supported by assessments.

US Military Reveals First Casualties

The US military reported its first casualties in the conflict on Sunday: three troops killed and five seriously wounded, with several others suffering minor shrapnel injuries and concussions.

US aircraft and warships have struck more than 1,000 Iranian targets since Trump ordered major combat operations, including B-2 stealth bombers dropping 2,000-lb (900-kg) bombs on hardened underground missile facilities.