House minority leader demands classified Iran briefing for Congress

US House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Monday demanded that the Trump administration provide a classified briefing on the Iran war for every member of Congress, dismissing an unclassified session scheduled for later in the day as inadequate for the gravity of the situation.

Speaking at a news conference, Jeffries acknowledged that the administration's decision to hold Monday's unclassified session represented progress. "The administration is taking a step in the right direction by holding the unclassified briefing today," he said. "But clearly this matter ... requires a full classified briefing for the entire House of Representatives."

White House Strategy Criticized

The Democratic leader also directed sharp criticism at President Donald Trump's handling of the war, arguing that the administration's actions had undermined US national security. "We need an all-hands-on-deck classified briefing for the entirety of the House of Representatives and the entirety of the Senate," Jeffries said, describing the developments as "an incredibly significant matter related to war and peace." He added that he hoped congressional leaders would receive comprehensive classified briefings sooner rather than later as they assess the broader implications for American policy.

Background on Hostilities

The demands come amid efforts to implement a memorandum of understanding reached on June 18 between Iran and the US. The agreement includes provisions for ending hostilities, lifting the American naval blockade on Iranian ports, and reopening the strategic Strait of Hormuz for global energy shipments.