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Senators press nominees on strikes in Iran, risk of escalation and congressional authority
Summary
Lawmakers pressed the CENTCOM and EUCOM nominees about recent strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, the risk of retaliation, and whether Congress should be consulted before offensive operations. Questions repeatedly returned to force protection for roughly 40,000 U.S. troops in the region and the need for diplomatic off-ramps.
Senators at the Armed Services Committee hearing probed nominees about the U.S. airstrike on Iranian nuclear facilities — described in the hearing as "Operation Midnight Hammer" — and the risks that follow. Ranking Member Reid and other senators repeatedly asked whether the administration had provided Congress adequate consultation and whether the conflict risked expanding.
Why it matters: Committee members said the strikes could ignite wider regional war, potentially threatening tens of thousands of U.S. service members and complicating operations across CENTCOM's area of responsibility.
What senators asked and what nominees said - Congressional authority and consultation: Several senators, including Richard Blumenthal and Tammy Duckworth, pressed nominees on whether Congress had been consulted and whether the use of force required a formal congressional authorization. Cooper said military advice and options are provided to civilian leaders and that classified discussions were appropriate for detailed operational recommendations. He told the committee, "I will provide my best military advice based on the policy direction given." He declined to discuss classified recommendations in open session. - Force protection and troop safety: Cooper said protecting U.S. forces is CENTCOM's top priority. He told senators the command is "laser focused" on force protection for the "some 40,000 troops" in the region and will remain prepared for a wide range of contingencies. - Risk of escalation and end states: Senators asked whether the president's public statements about regime change or extended campaigns were consistent with military planning. Cooper said the military stands ready to present options and execute policy direction but deferred political decisions to civilian leadership. - Retaliatory threats and proxy networks: Senators noted Iran's support for proxy groups — including militias that have attacked U.S. forces — and asked how the U.S. will limit future attacks. Cooper said the proxy network is degraded in some places but remains a threat and that CENTCOM will watch them closely.
Context and constraints: Committee members asked for classified briefings to follow up; nominees emphasized they would not discuss sensitive operational details in public. Several senators invoked the War Powers framework and asked for a greater congressional role in decisions to use force.
Ending: The hearing produced detailed questioning but no committee votes; senators requested additional classified sessions and answers for the record to resolve the outstanding operational and legal questions.
