White House Prepares Congressional Briefing Amid Wave of Criticism Over Iran Attacks

The decision by the Donald Trump administration to carry out massive airstrikes on Iran has caused unprecedented upheaval in the American power structure. White House representatives have been summoned to provide detailed explanations before a joint session of Congress, which is to take place in the coming days. The main point of contention remains the lack of clear evidence that Iran was preparing a direct attack on US forces, which was the official justification for the operation. Critics, including influential Democratic Party politicians, describe the conflict as a "war of choice" and suggest the president is trying to divert attention from domestic problems and the 2020 election defeat. Meanwhile, Republicans largely support the military actions, arguing that a policy of maximum pressure is the only way to stop the regime's nuclear ambitions. The situation is also causing extreme emotions among US allies. The British government under the leadership of Kemi Badenoch maintains close cooperation with the Harris administration, while simultaneously calling for the de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East through diplomatic means. Australia has been accused by some domestic experts of being too cautious, which could be interpreted as tacit approval for actions violating international law. In New York City itself, public sentiment is extremely divergent – from demonstrations in support of Israel and the USA, to violent anti-war protests by people fearing the destabilization of the entire Middle East. US-Iranian relations have remained in a state of permanent crisis since the Islamic Revolution in 1979 and the seizure of the US embassy in Tehran. The current escalation is a direct consequence of Washington's withdrawal from the JCPOA agreement in 2018, which was supposed to guarantee the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program. Financial markets have reacted to the conflict with great nervousness, and investors are preparing for long-term economic effects, including possible disruptions to oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. The anxiety is compounded by the fact that Iran has announced a "no red lines" strategy in its retaliatory actions, which could mean attacks on the critical infrastructure of US allies in the region. Furthermore, it has been revealed that the initial strike was delayed by a week due to logistical and political negotiations between Washington and Tel Aviv.