Trump pressed to detail what prompted strike on Iran general

President Donald Trump and his top advisers are under pressure to disclose more detail about intelligence that led him to order killing of top Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, which has greatly heightened tension with Tehran.

Trump said Tuesday that his decision saved American lives and that members of Congress will be briefed on reasons for U.S. attack.

“We saved a lot of lives,” Trump said. “y were planning something.”

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said it was clear that Soleimani was continuing his efforts to build a network of activities “that were going to lead potentially to death of many more Americans.”

Read: Pompeo Contradicts Trump's '52 Iranian Sites' Remark, Says 'Great Respect' For Symbols

Defense Secretary Mark Esper told reporters that Iranian threats against Americans were “days away” from being executed. Democratic lawmakers are t yet convinced.

Senate Mirity Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Bob Menendez, top Democrat on Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called on Trump to declassify written tification president sent to Congress after fatal strike on Soleimani.

Read: White House Says Trump Could Still Renegotiate Iran Nuclear Deal

tification was required under War Powers Resolution Act of 1973, which requires president to report to Congress when American forces are sent into hostile or imminently hostile situations.

“It is critical that national security matters of such import be shared with American people in a timely manner,” senators wrote. “An entirely classified tification is simply t appropriate in a democratic society, and re appears to be legitimate justification for classifying this tification.”