US Rubio says hardest hits on Iran are still to come

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the US military plans to intensify its attacks on Iran. This warning follows two days of airstrikes in the country, which the Trump administration claims eliminated key leaders and targeted their ballistic missile program. Rubio stated, "I won’t reveal the specifics of our tactical plans, but the toughest strikes are still ahead from the US military." He added, "The next phase will hit Iran even harder than what we are seeing now." Rubio was in Congress to update members about President Donald Trump’s efforts, alongside Israel, to address Iran. He clarified that the US aims to dismantle Iran's ballistic missile program, which he believes is being used to support their nuclear goals, as well as their naval capabilities and attack drones. He reiterated Trump’s assertion that Iran represents an "imminent threat" to the US and emphasized that the President does not need Congressional approval to initiate these actions. This viewpoint has been contested by Democrats. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the leading Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, remarked after the briefing that administration officials provided a justification for the attacks but failed to present solid evidence supporting that justification. Other Democrats expressed that the briefing raised more questions than it answered. Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, questioned, "What is the goal? What is the plan for withdrawal? What responsibility do we have to the Iranian people if they respond to Trump’s call to protest?" He also asked about the specific imminent threat to US interests that justifies this conflict. In response, Rubio defended the administration's communication with Congress and noted that he personally contacted congressional leaders the night before the military operation.