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Pentagon brings Iran war briefing to the House as regional conflict escalates

Political Guyentist · July 23, 20262 min read

THE HILL

Bipartisan group of House members briefed on Iran war operations amid escalating tensions in the region

The Pentagon briefed a bipartisan group of House lawmakers on the Iran war as tensions continue to escalate in the region, according to The Hill's Defense & National Security newsletter. The closed-door session brought members of Congress up to speed on the scope and status of U.S. military operations against Iranian targets, as the administration faces mounting questions over the legal basis for sustained hostilities and the cost of continued engagement in the Middle East theater.

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Timeline of U.S. Military Engagements

YearMilitary Engagements2001201420262001 AUMF EnactedISIS Operations BeginCurrent Iran Operations Briefing
Source: Pentagon briefs House lawmakers on Iran warPOLI

What we’re less sure of2 of 5 claims

RELATEDDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth defends Iran war funding request at fiery hearing

Hegseth (Sec-R) faced tough questioning from both sides of the aisle over the administration's Iran war funding request.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the administration's Iran war funding request during a heated congressional hearing, facing pointed questions from both Democrats and Republicans skeptical of the cost, scope, and strategic rationale behind sustained military operations against Iran.

RELATED 2Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's Senate testimony

Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) reacts to Hegseth's Senate testimony on Iran war operations and defense spending.

NPR's Leila Fadel speaks with Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's Senate testimony, as lawmakers from both parties press for greater transparency on Iran war operations and the administration's long-term objectives in the region.

RELATED 3Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defends Iran war funding request at fiery hearing

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defends Iran war funding request at fiery hearing — same event as item 0, reported from a different outlet (Daily Wire).

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defends Iran war funding request at fiery hearing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced a barrage of questions about the war with

[TS] Congress is being briefed on a war it never voted to authorize — the 2001 AUMF is doing a lot of heavy lifting here, and it was written before most of these lawmakers were even in office. Exciting times on the Hill. Don't expect a declaration vote anytime soon.