Rubio Briefs Congress on Iran as Trump Weighs Response

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe briefed key members of Congress on rising tensions with Iran on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, hours before President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address. The briefing comes as the Trump administration considers its options, including potential military action, in response to Iran’s nuclear program and ballistic missile development.

Briefing Details

Rubio and Ratcliffe addressed the “Gang of Eight” – the senior leaders from both parties in the House and Senate, as well as the chairs and ranking members of the Intelligence committees – at the White House at 3 p.m. EST. The closed-door session focused on possible U.S. Responses to escalating tensions with Iran, including potential military strikes.

Trump’s Stance and Ongoing Negotiations

President Trump has repeatedly called for a “meaningful deal” with Iran, emphasizing full denuclearization and limitations on its ballistic missile program. He has warned of “terrible things” happening if a deal isn’t reached and indicated a timeframe of 10 to 15 days for progress. Talks led by White House envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff last week did not yield a tangible agreement.

Military Buildup

Despite prioritizing diplomacy, the U.S. Has significantly increased its military presence in the Middle East. The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group is already in the region, and the USS Gerald R. Ford is en route. This represents the largest U.S. Military buildup in the region in decades.

Congressional Response

Following the briefing, several lawmakers emphasized the need for the administration to justify any potential military action to the American public. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated, “This is serious, and the administration has to make its case to the American people.” Senator Mark Warner urged President Trump to clearly articulate U.S. Goals and interests in the region.

Some members of Congress are preparing to challenge the president’s authority to initiate military action without congressional approval. Representatives Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie plan to force a vote on a war powers resolution, and Senator Tim Kaine intends to introduce a similar resolution in the Senate.

Iran’s Position

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated Iran’s commitment to not developing nuclear weapons even as asserting its right to peaceful nuclear technology.