Congressional committees on Wednesday held hearings on the authorization and scope of U.S. military activity related to Iran, with members across both parties pressing administration witnesses on the legal basis for ongoing operations, the protection of American personnel, and the path toward de-escalation.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee held parallel sessions, while the Armed Services Committees of both chambers convened closed briefings on operational details. Senior officials from the Departments of State and Defense and from the intelligence community testified.

Discussion focused on the statutory framework under which U.S. operations were being conducted, including the War Powers Resolution and the question of whether additional authorization would be required for sustained operations. Administration witnesses pointed to existing constitutional and statutory authorities, while several members questioned the breadth of that interpretation.

A bipartisan group of senators announced they were drafting legislation to clarify the scope of any U.S. military involvement, including limits on ground operations and specific reporting requirements. The drafters said the intent was not to constrain force protection or freedom-of-navigation activities but to ensure congressional engagement on a sustained campaign.

House members raised questions about coordination with allies and partners, the resilience of regional basing, and the protection of U.S. citizens in the region. Witnesses described enhanced security postures at installations across U.S. Central Command and ongoing consular planning for civilians.

Members from energy-producing states raised the prospect of strategic petroleum reserve releases and asked about coordination with consumer-country partners. Witnesses said any release would be considered in coordination with the International Energy Agency and with major allies.

Closed-session briefings reportedly covered intelligence assessments of Iranian capabilities, the activity of proxy groups in the broader region, and indications and warnings being monitored by U.S. and allied services. Several members emerged describing the briefings as sobering and emphasizing the importance of careful escalation management.

Committee leadership announced additional hearings for the coming weeks, including sessions focused on humanitarian impact, economic spillover, and the U.S. diplomatic strategy. Witnesses would include experts from non-governmental organizations and from think tanks alongside administration officials.

Members noted that congressional consultation was likely to remain intensive throughout the conflict and that the next several weeks would test the institutional balance between executive prerogative and legislative oversight in the conduct of overseas military operations.