Trump claims Iran hostilities ended, no congressional approval needed

President Donald Trump has informed Congress that hostilities between the United States and Iran have ceased due to an ongoing ceasefire.

He stated that there has been no exchange of fire since April 7, 2026, marking the termination of hostilities that began on February 28, 2026.

Trump's notification comes on the 60th day since he formally informed Congress of US strikes against Iran.

Under the War Powers Resolution, US law requires the president to end the use of armed forces within 60 days unless Congress authorizes a continuation or declares war.

The president argues that because of the ceasefire, he does not need congressional approval to continue military actions.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth supported this position during a congressional hearing, stating that the 60-day clock pauses during a ceasefire.

However, some lawmakers, including Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, have expressed skepticism about this interpretation, noting that the statute does not explicitly support pausing the countdown during a ceasefire.

This development is significant as it highlights ongoing legal and political debates over the limits of presidential war powers and congressional oversight in the context of US military engagements abroad.

The War Powers Resolution, enacted decades ago, aims to balance the president's ability to respond swiftly to threats with Congress's constitutional authority to declare war.

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