Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:28am on 25 Feb 2026,Wednesday International
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a rare, classified briefing to the “Gang of Eight” — senior congressional leaders from both parties — on rising tensions with Iran amid a significant U.S. military buildup in the Middle East. The session, attended by lawmakers and reportedly joined by CIA Director John Ratcliffe, focused on Iran’s nuclear programme and regional threats, as Washington weighs its strategic options. The briefing came just hours before President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, where Iran policy was expected to feature prominently. Some Democrats urged clearer justification for potential military action. (PC: Getty Images)
