An EA-18G Growler, attached to Electronic Attack Squadron 133, prepares to launch from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in support of Operation Epic Fury, March 1, 2026. (U.S. Navy)
WASHINGTON — The top Republican lawmaker on the Senate Intelligence Committee said Sunday that the White House intends to carry out an “extended” air and naval campaign against Iran but has no plan for “large-scale” ground force operations.
Sen. Tom Cotton, of Arkansas, the chairman of the Select Select Committee on Intelligence, offered an early indication of the Trump administration’s strategy and goals for military operations inside Iran, after the U.S. and Israel launched airstrikes Saturday.
Dubbed Operation Epic Fury, the massive military operation is targeting nuclear sites, naval facilities and command centers of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in pre-dawn strikes.
“The campaign is designed not only to set back Iran’s nuclear ambitions but most importantly to destroy its vast missile arsenal — many more missiles than the United States and Israel have air defenses combined as well as the missile launchers and missile manufacturing capabilities,” Cotton said on “Face the Nation” news show Sunday.
White House staff members on Sunday briefed key lawmakers about the status of military operations — including leaders of the House and Senate Intelligence, Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees. The White House said it notified the same lawmakers prior to the attacks.
Three U.S. service members were killed and five others seriously wounded, U.S. Central Command announced Sunday morning after Iran retaliated with attacks on American installations.
Some Democrats criticized the Trump administration for not seeking congressional authorization for the airstrikes. A war powers resolution is expected to be introduced in Congress Monday.
Sen. Mark Warner, of Virginia, the top Democrat on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence urged the administration to clarify its objectives in Iran, the strategy to prevent escalation and how the U.S. attacks “will make Americans safer.”
“The American people have seen this playbook before — claims of urgency, misrepresented intelligence, and military action that pulls the United States into regime change and prolonged, costly nation-building,” Warner said.
But Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, indicated the Trump administration was left with no other choice after officials tried unsuccessfully to compel Iranian leadership to end their “nuclear ambitions.”
“Iran absolutely cannot be allowed to maintain a nuclear weapon or capabilities. The safety and security of Americans and our allies are on the line. Furthermore, President Trump has given Iran plenty of opportunities to take the diplomatic route,” Crawford said.
“We owe it to our service members, and to every American family, to ensure that we are not repeating the mistakes of the past,” Warner said.
Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said on social media that Secretary of State Marco Rubio notified key lawmakers in advance of the airstrikes.
“Prior to the attacks, Secretary Rubio called all members of the Gang of Eight to provide congressional notification, and he was able to reach and brief seven of the eight members,” Leavitt said.
The Gang of Eight is a reference to the House and Senate leaders from each party, as well as the chairman and ranking minority members of the intelligence committee.
Saturday night, President Donald Trump also posted an eight-minute video to his Truth Social account disclosing the attacks.
“The United States military is undertaking a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests. We’re going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. It will be totally again obliterated,” Trump said.
The president made a direct appeal to the Iranian people “to take over your government.”
“America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force. Now is the time to seize control of your destiny, and to unleash the prosperous and glorious future that is close within your reach. This is the moment for action. Do not let it pass.”
He said operations would continue “uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary.”
