JD Vance said during a White House briefing that although the war with Iran is not a "forever war," an escalation in the absence of a diplomatic solution would serve long-term US security interests.
The advancement on the resolution is a victory for lawmkaers who have been arguing that Congress, not the president, should have the power to send troops to war, as spelled out in the Constitution.
The head of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency, Raphael Grossi, warned that a direct hit on the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant would result in a "very high release of radioactivity."
Vance said he had just spoken to Trump, who stressed that the core issue for the US is that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.
“Iran’s shadow banking system facilitates the illicit transfer of funding for terrorist purposes,” said Scott Bessent, Secretary of the Treasury.
Those who signed up for the “self-sacrifice” scheme have agreed to carry out actions like forming human chains around power stations.
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei called US claims a "shameless distortion" and an attempt to obscure the reality of the attack.
The regime’s process has ensured that only those who subscribe to Velayat-e Faqih and demonstrate commitment to the state religion are eligible for opportunities that provide financial stability.
Explosions were heard on Qeshm Island, where air defenses had been triggered, and pro-regime protesters chanted against Israel and the UAE, following US warnings of possible strikes.
The bill, titled “Reciprocal action by military and security forces of the Islamic Republic,” is one of several pieces of legislation aimed at formalizing the threats made by the regime.
Earlier on Monday, Trump mentioned in a Truth Social post that leaders of Gulf states had requested that he hold off on striking Iran.
