Congressional Scrutiny Grows as Iran Strategy Shifts Toward Economic Attrition

A coalition of 46 Democratic and Independent senators has formally requested information from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth concerning the extent of U.S. involvement in recent bombing campaigns in Iran. While President Trump has denied knowledge of evidence suggesting U.S. responsibility for the strikes, legislative pressure for transparency is mounting amid reports of significant civilian casualties. Recent data suggests nearly 1,350 civilians have been killed over 12 days of strikes, including a high-fatality attack on a residential neighborhood in eastern Tehran. In Tehran, the political landscape remains in flux following the hospital treatment of the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. Reports indicate he suffered injuries to his arm, hand, and legs during the February 28 attack that killed his father, former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Despite the leadership transition, military analysts note that Iran is shifting its tactical focus toward a war of attrition. This strategy aims to prolong the conflict to test American domestic patience and destabilize the global economy via the targeting of Gulf infrastructure. The regional impact of the conflict continues to expand beyond the immediate battlefield. Widespread flight cancellations have left travelers stranded across West Asia, marking a significant disruption to the aviation sector. Analysts suggest that the economic toll of the war, particularly involving the Strait of Hormuz, is a central component of Iran's current efforts to increase pressure on the Trump administration's economic platform.