president Donald Trump In a formal notification to Congress Monday of a U.S. attack on Iran, he sought to defend military action in the expanding Middle East conflict.

In a letter obtained by Fox News, Trump told Speaker Pro Tempore Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, that “no U.S. ground forces were used in these attacks” and that the mission “was planned and executed in a manner designed to minimize civilian casualties, deter future attacks and suppress Iranian malign activity.”

This is jointly between the United States and Israel attack on iran Saturday as part of an epic campaign of outrage that triggered a response from Tehran and wider conflict in the region. The attack killed the Islamic Republic’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other military leaders.

President Donald Trump on Monday sent a formal notification to Congress about a U.S. attack on Iran. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump wrote that it was not yet possible to know the full scope of military action against Iran and that the U.S. military was prepared for possible further action.

“While the United States desires a quick and lasting peace, it is currently impossible to know the full scope and duration of military operations that may be necessary,” Trump wrote. “Accordingly, the United States military remains prepared to take further action as necessary and appropriate to respond to further threats and attacks against the United States or its allies and partners and to ensure that the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran no longer poses a threat to the United States, its allies, and the international community.”

“My command of this military operation is consistent with my responsibility to protect Americans and U.S. interests at home and abroad and to advance U.S. national security and foreign policy interests,” he added. “I acted consistent with my constitutional authority as Commander-in-Chief and Chief Executive Officer to conduct the foreign relations of the United States.”

Tehran, Iran, March 2, 2026. A panoramic view of Tehran city with smoke visible in the distance after an explosion was reported in Tehran. (Contributor/Getty Images)

Trump said he was “providing this report as part of my efforts to keep Congress fully informed and consistent with the War Powers Resolution” as some Republican and Democratic lawmakers sought to limit the president’s actions. military operationsthey confirmed it was unconstitutional without congressional approval.

The president also accused Iran of being one of the world’s largest sponsors of terrorism and claimed that “the Iranian regime continues to seek the means to possess and use nuclear weapons,” despite the White House saying in June that precision strikes at the time “destroyed” Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities.

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On February 28, 2026, in Tehran, Iran, Iranian demonstrators protested against the US-Israeli attack. One person held a portrait of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. (Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters)

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“As I have previously communicated to Congress, Iran remains one of the world’s largest sponsors of terrorism, if not the world’s largest,” Trump said in Monday’s letter. “Despite the success of Operation Midnight Hammer, the Iranian regime continues to seek the means to possess and use nuclear weapons. Its array of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles and other missiles pose a direct threat to, and are attacking, U.S. military, commercial vessels and civilians as well as our allies and partners.”

He continued: “Despite the administration’s repeated efforts to diplomatically address Iran’s egregious behavior, the threat to the United States and its allies and partners has become untenable.”

Fox News’ Tyler Olson contributed to this report.

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