Overview
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the operation as a preemptive move because the administration expected imminent Israeli action that would trigger attacks on U.S. forces.
- Sen. Ruben Gallego called the decision a "dumb war," said the U.S. is "no longer a world power," and blamed poor planning for the deaths of six American service members reported in Kuwait.
- Media reporting says the weekend strikes killed senior Iranian figures and hundreds of civilians, including at least 165 children at a girls’ school, though some details are characterized as reported rather than independently confirmed.
- Mediaite, citing the New York Times, reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu played a key role in convincing President Trump to act.
- Fox News reported that Trump notified Congress the mission used no U.S. ground forces and was planned to minimize civilian casualties, deter future attacks, and counter Iran’s activities.