Trump officials tell Congress Iran will be hit with 'overwhelming' firepower in the coming days

Top Trump administration officials told lawmakers in classified briefings Tuesday to expect an 'overwhelming' and bigger wave of military strikes on Iran in the coming days, following Iranian retaliation against initial U.S. and Israeli operations that killed Iran's supreme leader and damaged key military capabilities. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, briefed both House and Senate members on Tuesday, emphasizing that the hardest hits were yet to come. The briefings came as both chambers prepared votes on resolutions to curb Trump's ability to carry out additional military action in Iran, with the Senate expected to vote Wednesday afternoon. The initial joint U.S. and Israeli strikes had killed Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and many of his top lieutenants, but Iran retaliated by striking U.S. embassies, consulates and other 'soft' targets in allied nations in the Middle East, prompting the State Department to urge thousands of Americans in 14 regional countries to leave immediately despite travel restrictions. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a key Trump ally and defense hawk, emerged from the briefing declaring that 'the regime is in its death throes' and that 'the amount of firepower coming in the next day or two from us is going to be overwhelming.' Graham added that 'the Arabs are in the fight now' and that 'the liberation of Iran is at hand.' Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., described Operation Epic Fury as 'very broad,' 'rapidly evolving' and 'really changing by the hour.' Despite the escalating conflict, most Republicans in Congress continue to support Trump's military actions, with Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky being the only Republican who has suggested he'll vote for the resolution limiting military action. The human cost continues to mount, with six American service members killed in the operation, including four Army reservists who were killed when a drone struck Kuwait. While GOP lawmakers didn't get the impression that the administration was preparing to put American boots on the ground, they reiterated that Trump is ruling nothing out. Several House conservatives who were critical of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars expressed concerns about another 'forever war,' with Rep. Nancy Mace stating she doesn't want 'trillions of dollars, thousands of lives lost' and that her 'No. 1 concern' is avoiding troops on the ground. Meanwhile, Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., warned that the Iranian regime could target U.S. civilians as Trump ramps up attacks, noting that 'they have thousands of drones and other capabilities that are out there that have a tremendous amount of lethal force.' Multiple lawmakers said they expected the White House to request a supplemental funding package for the Iran war, with Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., confirming he would support such a request.