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Trump administration claimed that Iran war has already “terminated” because of the US-Iran ceasefire, which may allow them to bypass Congress’s nod.
Trump administration claims that Iran war “terminated” after the April ceasefire. (Reuters)
The Trump administration has now presented a new argument that the Iran war has already “terminated” because of the US-Iran ceasefire that began in early April, an interpretation that could allow the White House to bypass the requirement of seeking approval from Congress.
On Thursday, a senior official of United States President Donald Trump’s administration said for purposes of that law, “the hostilities that began on Saturday, Feb. 28 have terminated.”
“For War Powers Resolution purposes, the hostilities that began on Saturday, February 28, have terminated,” he said.
The official further added that the US military and Iran have not exchanged fire since the two-week ceasefire started on April 7.
Trump’s 60-Day War Powers Clock
As per the War Powers Resolution, the law which sought to constrain the military powers of the president, Trump on Friday faced a deadline to either end the Iran war or get Congress’s nod to extend it; however, the date was most likely to pass without any change in the course of the war.
The law also permitted the administration to extend that deadline by 30 days. The 1973 law permits a president to conduct military operations for up to 60 days without congressional approval, after which they must either end the action, seek authorisation from Congress, or request a 30-day extension citing “unavoidable military necessity” to ensure the safety of US forces.
Also Read: 60-Day Deadline That Could Halt US-Iran War Ends Today: What Next For Trump?
The official’s statement further added to Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s argument that the ceasefire effectively paused the war. The Trump administration has not yet fulfilled the requirement mandated by the 1973 law to seek formal approval from Congress.
Hegseth told a Senate hearing on Thursday that, according to his understanding, the 60-day clock stopped during the truce. Opposition Democrats disputed that argument and said that there was no such legal provision.
Democrats Push Back On Trump Admin’s Argument, Republicans Divided
Democrats have stepped up pressure on the Trump administration to seek formal congressional approval for military action against Iran, as the 60-day deadline under the War Powers framework looms.
The milestone is widely seen as a potential inflection point, particularly for some Republican lawmakers who supported limited, short-term action but have called for Congress to weigh in on any prolonged engagement.
“That deadline is not a suggestion; it is a requirement,” said Senator Susan Collins, who voted on Thursday in favour of a measure to halt military operations against Iran in the absence of congressional approval.
She added that “further military action against Iran must have a clear mission, achievable goals, and a defined strategy for bringing the conflict to a close.”
In the run-up to the deadline, analysts and congressional aides had anticipated that the administration might either seek a 30-day extension or ignore the requirement altogether, arguing that the ceasefire signalled an end to hostilities.
The conflict traces back to February 28, when coordinated airstrikes were launched by Israel and the United States. Donald Trump formally notified Congress within 48 hours, triggering the 60-day clock that expires on May 1.
Under the US Constitution, the power to declare war rests with Congress, though administrations have historically interpreted limited or time-bound military actions, particularly those framed as responses to immediate threats, as falling within presidential authority.
With the Republican Party holding a narrow majority in both chambers of Congress, efforts by Democratic Party lawmakers to pass resolutions compelling the administration to either withdraw forces or seek authorisation have repeatedly failed.
Meanwhile, Iran retaliated against the February 28 strikes with attacks targeting Israel and Gulf nations hosting US military bases. The escalation has had severe humanitarian consequences, with strikes across Iran, Israeli operations in Lebanon, and broader regional violence leaving thousands dead and displacing millions.
With Inputs From Reuters, Associated Press
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
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