Lawmakers Question Effectiveness of U.S. Strikes on Iran Nuclear Sites

President Trump asserted that recent U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities were a decisive success, claiming they "obliterated" Tehran's nuclear capabilities and set back the program for years. However, Pentagon and Defense Intelligence Agency officials have expressed skepticism, assessing that the attacks only delayed Iran's nuclear progress by months rather than years. This discrepancy between the administration's optimistic claims and intelligence assessments has raised concerns on Capitol Hill about the possibility of further military action. House Speaker Mike Johnson defended Trump’s constitutional authority to conduct the strikes without congressional approval, citing Article II powers, while Senator Rand Paul and other lawmakers emphasized that only Congress has the authority to declare war and questioned the legality of unilateral strikes. Additionally, some lawmakers, including Representatives Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna, are pushing for resolutions to prohibit unauthorized military hostilities in Iran amid fears of escalating conflict. The situation remains tense with mixed opinions on the effectiveness of the strikes and the potential for future U.S. involvement in the region.