War powers debate in US Congress, Israel continues attacks in Iran and Lebanon

Al-Jazeera Podcasts

Moments ago, U.S. congressional leaders were briefed

on why the Trump administration launched strikes into Iran.

The answer they received, the U.S. was only following Israel's lead.

Israeli strikes in Tehran and southern Beirut are ongoing this hour.

Iran's state broadcaster reported two explosions near its Tehran,

headquarters about an hour ago.

Israel has carried out heavy air strikes on Hezbollah control suburbs

of the Lebanese capital, Beirut Israel's been ordering forced evacuations

for residents across the country, at least 52 people killed

and more than 150 others wounded, according to officials.

The strikes came in response to Hezbollah drone and rocket attack on Israel.

More than 600 people, including dozens of civilians,

have been killed in both Iran and Lebanon since the start of the war.

In response, Iran has targeted energy infrastructure in Gulf states,

triggering a surge in global gas and oil prices.

Qatar's state-owned petroleum company has halted all production

of liquefied natural gas, LNG, after the attacks on two of its facilities.

Now, as we mentioned earlier, in Lebanon, Israel has carried out heavy air strikes

on Hezbollah control suburbs of Beirut.

There have also been Israeli strikes across a southern Lebanon.

The Israeli army says it hit more than 70 Hezbollah targets,

including weapons storage facilities, Israel launched the attacks early on Monday,

after the Iranian-backed group fired rockets into northern Israel

in response to the assassination of Iran's supreme leader.

Now, the U.S. Congress is conducting a war-powered debate over

President Donald Trump's authority to bomb Iran.

At least six U.S. military personnel have already been killed in the conflict.

Now, Mark Warner, the U.S. Senate Democrat, says that Donald Trump needs to explain

clearly to Congress what the objectives of the attacks on Iran are.