Pentagon briefing contradicts White House justification for “imminent” Iranian threat ahead of major U.S.–Israel strike
WASHINGTON: In a dramatic reversal of the White House narrative, Pentagon officials informed congressional staff Sunday that Iran had no credible plans to attack U.S. forces in the Middle East unless directly provoked, according to multiple attendees of the classified briefing.
The disclosure directly contradicts President Trump’s administration, which justified last weekend’s coordinated U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iranian territory by claiming Tehran posed an “imminent threat” to American personnel. The Pentagon briefing, which lasted more than 90 minutes and included bipartisan staff from key security committees, offered no evidence supporting a time‑sensitive danger, participants told CNN.
The air and missile campaign dubbed “Operation Epic Fury” marked one of the most significant U.S. military operations in decades and triggered retaliatory strikes by Iran that have already killed American service members. The administration maintained the strikes were preemptive, aimed at thwarting planned Iranian missile and drone attacks. But sources at the Pentagon reportedly said intelligence pointed only to longstanding ballistic missile capabilities and proxy threats, not an immediate assault.
Senate Intelligence Vice Chair Mark Warner said he saw no proof Iran was preparing a preemptive strike. Democratic and Republican lawmakers expressed concern over the administration’s legal basis for war, while White House officials reiterated the urgency of neutralizing Iranian capabilities.
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