Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe will brief top congressional leaders on Iran on Tuesday ahead of President Donald Trump’s annual speech to Congress. (Alex Brandon/AFP via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Iran is digging in. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X Tuesday: "Our fundamental convictions are crystal clear: Iran will under no circumstances ever develop a nuclear weapon; neither will we Iranians ever forgo our right to harness the dividends of peaceful nuclear technology for our people."
In a message directed at the American side, he added: "A deal is within reach, but only if diplomacy is given priority."
The U.S. has insisted Iran cannot have any nuclear enrichment capacity, even for energy purposes.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Speaker Mike Johnson will get briefed by the Cabinet members, along with the minority leaders and leaders on the Intelligence Committees. (Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters; Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
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Rubio’s classified briefing comes at a pivotal moment — just hours before Trump steps to the podium for his State of the Union address. The timing suggests the administration wants congressional leaders fully briefed on Iran’s nuclear posture, U.S. intelligence assessments and potential next steps before the president publicly lays out his strategy to the nation.
By meeting with the "Gang of Eight" ahead of the speech, the White House is also locking in oversight consultation before Trump speaks. That gives top lawmakers the same classified context the president is working from — and makes it harder for critics to argue they were blindsided if Trump signals tougher action, new diplomatic parameters or a shift in posture toward Tehran during his address.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/rubio-ratcliffe-deliver-classified-iran-briefing-gang-eight-ahead-trumps-state-union