US Pushes Allies on IRGC, Hezbollah Terror Labels in Iran War

The United States and Israel launched a joint preemptive military strike against Iran on February 28, killing the country's supreme leader and igniting a war that has spread across more than a dozen neighboring nations in the Middle East. Now in its third week, the conflict has resulted in at least 13 American service member deaths and costs exceeding $11.3 billion in its initial six days, according to Pentagon estimates reported by news outlets.

The operation began without prior notification to most members of Congress, prompting immediate questions about the administration's decision-making process. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a subsequent classified briefing on Capitol Hill, explained to lawmakers that the strike aimed to preempt an anticipated Iranian retaliation following a potential Israeli attack. "The president determined we were not going to get hit first," Rubio told reporters afterward. "It's that simple." Administration officials have described the action as defensive, citing intelligence on imminent threats from Iran and its proxies, though specifics on the elevated risks remain classified.

In a diplomatic cable dated March 16 and distributed to all U.S....