WASHINGTON — Defense and intelligence officials briefed lawmakers on the war in Iran in a closed-door session in Washington on March 25, 2026. Lawmakers expressed frustration about a lack of clarity and information regarding President Donald Trump's strategy during the briefing.

Lawmakers expressed frustration centered on the prospect of the United States sending ground troops into Iran, including questions about the troops' potential uses and how they would be protected once deployed. Tensions flared over conflicting explanations from the administration about the justification for starting the war in Iran.

Lawmakers said they would not support U.S. ground troops in Iran. Some lawmakers currently supporting the war viewed U.S. ground troops in Iran as a red line that could lead them to abandon the effort.

"Just walked out of a House Armed Services Briefing on Iran. Let me repeat: I will not support troops on the ground in Iran, even more so after this briefing," said Nancy Mace, U.S. Representative from South Carolina.

Defense and intelligence officials could not provide details about the possibility of deploying U.S. troops to Iran but did not rule it out. Defense and intelligence officials said the additional U.S. troops sent to the Middle East were intended to give President Trump more options.

"There was no plan, no strategy, no end game shared, and they didn't give any answers. It's unclear if there isn't a plan or if there is a plan and they wouldn't share it with members," said one lawmaker.

"I fully support what the administration is doing in Iran. But, when briefing members they need to be prepared to deliver substantive information and more fully answer questions," said Mike Rogers, House Armed Services Committee chairman.

"The President's team will continue to work closely with the Hill while completely demolishing the Iranian regime's ballistic missile capabilities, navy, ability to arm proxies, and dreams of possessing a nuclear weapon," White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said in a statement.

The Trump administration was engaging in diplomatic efforts to end the war in Iran and was sending more troops to the Middle East while President Trump weighed deploying U.S. forces on the ground inside Iran. The Trump administration has conducted 20 bipartisan briefings to members of Congress. The war in Iran neared the one-month mark at the time of the briefing.