Lawmakers Split Over Impact of US Strikes on Iran Nuclear Program

Following President Donald Trump's order to strike Iranian nuclear sites, both House and Senate Democrats have expressed significant skepticism about the effectiveness and justification of the attacks, citing a lack of clear evidence that Iran's nuclear capabilities were obliterated or that an imminent threat justified bypassing Congress. Democrats, including Rep. Bill Foster and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, highlighted concerns over the intact stockpiles of enriched uranium in Iran and warned that the strikes may have only delayed, rather than destroyed, Iran's nuclear program. In contrast, Republican senators and Trump administration officials hailed the strikes as a major success that dealt a significant blow to Iran's nuclear ambitions, with some describing the damage as obliterating the targeted sites. A preliminary U.S. intelligence assessment suggested the nuclear program was delayed by only a few months, contradicting more optimistic claims from Trump and Israeli leadership. The administration has condemned leaks and criticized Democrats for prematurely announcing the outcomes of the strikes, further deepening partisan divides over the operation’s impact and congressional oversight. Overall, the briefing revealed a sharp partisan split on the interpretation of the strikes' success and the strategic approach toward Iran's nuclear threat.