US strikes on Iran triggered by Israel’s plan to launch attack, Rubio says

Secretary of state says Trump ordered pre-emptive strikes out of concern about Tehran retaliation after Israeli attackIsrael’s determination to attack Iran and the certainty that US troops would be targeted in response forced the Trump administration to take pre-emptive strikes, secretary of state Marco Rubio said, in a new explanation for Washington’s surprise entry into the conflict.The rationale drew divided reviews from top members of Congress who on Monday evening received the first briefing by the Trump administration since it ordered the air campaign to begin over the weekend. Continue reading...