White House Plans Iran Briefing Before Address/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Secretary of State Marco Rubio will brief congressional leaders on Iran amid rising tensions and potential U.S. military action. The virtual meeting comes hours before President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address. Lawmakers are weighing efforts to require congressional approval before any strike on Tehran.
Rubio to Brief Lawmakers on Iran – Quick Looks
- Marco Rubio to address House and Senate leadership
- Briefing includes Intelligence Committee leaders
- U.S. forces increasing presence in Middle East
- Trump warns of “really bad things” without nuclear deal
- Lawmakers push vote on war powers resolution
- House vote to limit force appears unlikely to pass
Deep Look
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to brief top congressional leaders Tuesday on escalating tensions with Iran, as the administration considers possible military strikes.
The closed-door session — which will be conducted virtually — will include House and Senate leadership as well as the chairs and ranking members of the intelligence committees, according to individuals familiar with the plans.
The briefing is scheduled to occur just hours before President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address at the United States Capitol.
Rising Tensions With Iran
The administration has steadily increased the U.S. military presence in the Middle East in recent weeks, signaling preparations for potential action against Tehran. While Trump has not publicly confirmed a final decision, he has warned that “really bad things” could happen if negotiations over Iran’s nuclear enrichment program fail.
The White House has maintained that diplomatic channels remain open, but officials have emphasized that military options are under review.
The briefing by Rubio is expected to provide lawmakers with updated intelligence assessments and outline possible next steps should talks with Tehran break down.
Congressional War Powers Debate
The prospect of unilateral military action has reignited debate on Capitol Hill over Congress’s constitutional role in authorizing the use of force.
Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie had planned to force a House vote this week on a resolution requiring congressional authorization before any strike against Iran.
However, leadership now anticipates that vote will likely be delayed until next week or later.
The resolution’s path forward appears uncertain. Earlier this year, a similar bipartisan effort aimed at restricting presidential authority over Venezuela failed in the House. Only Massie and Rep. Don Bacon joined Democrats in that effort, and Bacon has indicated he would likely oppose the new measure.
Political Stakes Ahead of State of the Union
The timing of Rubio’s briefing — on the same day as Trump’s State of the Union speech — underscores the high political stakes surrounding Iran policy.
Trump is expected to address national security challenges during his remarks, and lawmakers from both parties are watching closely for signals about whether he intends to escalate or pursue a renewed diplomatic framework.
Some Republicans argue that maintaining flexibility strengthens the administration’s negotiating leverage. Meanwhile, several Democrats and libertarian-leaning Republicans contend that Congress must assert its authority before any military engagement.
What Comes Next?
The White House has not publicly confirmed whether a strike decision is imminent. Still, the buildup of U.S. forces and the emergency briefing signal that the administration is preparing for multiple contingencies.
Lawmakers are likely to seek further clarity during Rubio’s session, particularly regarding intelligence assessments, potential regional consequences, and legal justifications for any use of force.
As diplomatic efforts continue and military options remain on the table, the Iran issue is poised to dominate Washington’s foreign policy debate — and could shape both congressional dynamics and Trump’s broader national security strategy in the weeks ahead.
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