Officials from the U.S. Department of Defense have informed members of Congress that there was no intelligence indicating that Iran was preparing to attack U.S. forces or territory before the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes earlier this week.

In a closed door briefing with congressional staff, defense officials acknowledged that while Tehran poses a broader regional threat through its missile capabilities and support for proxy militias, there was no specific sign Iran intended to strike the United States first a point that contrasts with public claims from the White House about imminent threats cited as justification for the military action.

The briefing, which spanned more than 90 minutes, was described by lawmakers as candid but raised concerns among some members over the legal and strategic rationale for the U.S.–Israeli military campaign. Several Democratic and Republican staffers said the absence of evidence for a direct pre-emptive threat contradicts earlier assertions suggesting the strikes were necessary to defend U.S. forces.

According to reports, officials told congressional aides that intelligence instead pointed to longstanding broader threats from Iranian missile programs and proxy groups threats that have existed for years, rather than evidence of a specific plot against U.S. personnel.

The U.S. military strikes, which targeted hundreds of sites across Iran and resulted in the reported death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior figures, have already triggered broader regional retaliation and rising casualty figures, including U.S. service members killed in subsequent engagements.

Republican and Democratic lawmakers alike have expressed unease over the lack of a clear strategy or threat timeline, with some describing the campaign as a “war of choice” rather than a response to an imminent attack.

As the conflict continues, the Pentagon is expected to provide further public updates, while members of Congress prepare additional hearings to evaluate both the intelligence assessments and the legal basis for the ongoing military operations.