Following a classified briefing regarding the impact of recent U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, senators emerged with differing opinions, showcasing a clear division along party lines. Republican senators expressed confidence in the effectiveness of the strikes, while some Democrats voiced dissatisfaction, claiming their questions remained unanswered.
The briefing featured high-profile administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The session followed several days of complaints from Democratic senators who felt the administration had inadequately informed them about the extent of the damage caused to Iran’s nuclear program.
After the Thursday briefing, several Republican senators indicated that the information reinforced Ratcliffe’s earlier assessment that Iran’s nuclear capabilities had suffered significant damage. In contrast, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-New York) articulated concerns, stating that the briefing raised more questions than it answered. He emphasized the need for a clearer understanding of the administration's strategy, questioning, “What are we doing?”
Senator Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed skepticism, suggesting that Iran’s nuclear program had only been set back by a few months. This assessment appeared to align with a preliminary report from the Defense Intelligence Agency that was leaked earlier this week, which contradicted President Donald Trump's assertions that the strikes had obliterated the nuclear program.
The administration has actively countered the leaked assessment, with Ratcliffe asserting that several Iranian nuclear facilities had been “destroyed” and would require years to rebuild. During a press conference on Thursday, Hegseth dismissed the intelligence assessment as “low-confidence,” citing an evaluation from the Israel Atomic Energy Commission, which suggested that the strikes had delayed Iran’s nuclear program for years.
In light of the leaked intelligence assessment, the White House plans to restrict the amount of classified information shared with Congress. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt explained that the aim is to prevent classified intelligence from reaching “irresponsible hands.” Schumer has urged the White House to “immediately undo” these proposed restrictions. However, Ratcliffe reportedly informed senators that he had not heard about any such plans.
Senator Mark Kelly (D-Arizona), a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, expressed that he is not concerned about potential cuts to intelligence sharing with the committee, indicating a level of confidence in the administration’s commitment.
Democrats have expressed frustration over the administration’s slow communication regarding the strikes. While most House Democrats chose to dismiss an impeachment effort led by Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) aimed at holding Trump accountable for taking military action without congressional approval, a significant number—79 Democrats—voted to advance the motion. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-California), the former House Speaker, acknowledged that while the president should have consulted Congress, the priority remains on national security and preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
This week, the Senate is expected to vote on a resolution introduced by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) that aims to restrict Trump from using military force against Iran without congressional authorization. However, the resolution's fate appears uncertain, especially after Trump’s role in facilitating a temporary ceasefire between Iran and Israel. Publicly, no Republican senators have committed to supporting the resolution, and Kaine anticipates that Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania), known for his strong support of Israel, may oppose it.
Fetterman defended the effectiveness of the strikes, asserting that Operation Midnight Hammer was successful. He cited remarks from Rafael Mariano Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency, which indicated that the centrifuges at Iran’s Fordow uranium enrichment facility were no longer operational. Fetterman emphasized his continued support for the strikes, asserting that they contributed to global safety and should transcend partisan divisions.
