WASHINGTON – The Pentagon has informed Congress that there is no indication Iran was planning to strike the United States first, according to sources familiar with closed-door briefings held on Sunday. The briefings, involving Trump administration officials and congressional staff, acknowledged a lack of intelligence suggesting an imminent Iranian attack.

The disclosure comes amidst heightened tensions in the Middle East following recent incidents involving attacks on U.S. military installations and commercial vessels in the region. While officials have expressed concerns about Iranian actions, the briefings suggest that the intelligence community hasn't detected a specific plot or imminent threat of a direct Iranian assault on U.S. interests.

The Trump administration has taken a series of steps to deter Iran, including deploying additional troops and military assets to the region and imposing economic sanctions. These actions have been taken in response to what the administration views as Iran’s destabilizing behavior, including its support for proxy groups and its pursuit of ballistic missile technology. However, the Sunday briefings indicate that the threat assessment has not escalated to the point of anticipating an imminent Iranian strike.

The closed-door nature of the briefings underscores the sensitivity of the intelligence information being shared with Congress. Lawmakers have been seeking regular updates on the situation in the Middle East, particularly as tensions with Iran continue to simmer. The lack of evidence indicating an imminent Iranian attack may influence the ongoing debate about the best course of action to manage the relationship with Iran and ensure regional stability.