The Trump administration has argued that the war with Iran is effectively over. It noted that the ceasefire began in early April despite traffic jams Strait of Hormuz Still disturbed, the U.S. is enforcing a naval blockade Iranian port.
Reuters quoted an official as saying that “hostilities that began on Saturday, February 28, have ended for the purposes of the War Powers Resolution.”
The official further argued that there was no exchange of fire between U.S. and U.S. forces. Tehran The ceasefire has been extended since it came into effect on April 7.
Officials said the new explanation could allow the White House to bypass the need for congressional approval for continued military involvement.
Trump’s war power clock
That assertion builds on arguments made by Army Secretary Pete Hegseth during Senate testimony earlier Thursday. He said the ceasefire effectively suspended the war and the legal timetable set out in the War Powers Resolution.
Under the 1973 law, presidents have 60 days to conduct military action without congressional approval, after which they must seek authorization, withdraw troops, or request a 30-day extension citing “unavoidable military necessity.”
The conflict began on February 28, when the United States and Israel coordinated air strikes against Iran. President of the United States Donald Trump Notifying Congress 48 hours after the attack triggered a 60-day deadline under the War Powers Resolution, which was set to expire on May 1.
Hegseth told lawmakers the government “understood” the 60-day clock had stopped during the ceasefire. Critics, however, were quick to question this interpretation.
Democrats fight back, Republicans split
Senator Tim Kaine, who questioned Hegseth at the hearing, later said the defense secretary “made a very novel argument that I had never heard of before” and that it was “certainly not supported by the law.”
Democrats have been pressuring the administration to seek formal approval from Congress. The looming 60-day mark is also seen as a potential inflection point for some Republicans, who support the initial strike but want legislative oversight of any prolonged conflict.
“This deadline is not a suggestion, it is a requirement,” Senator Susan Collins said after voting for a measure to end military operations without congressional approval. “Further military action against Iran must have a clear mission, achievable goals and a clear strategy to end the conflict,” she added.
Ceasefire maintained, tensions remain severe
Although direct hostilities have been suspended, the situation on the ground remains tense. Iran continues to control the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global transit route, while the U.S. Navy maintains a blockade aimed at preventing Iranian oil tankers from entering international waters.
The conflict itself began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched coordinated air strikes against Iran. President Donald Trump formally notified Congress within 48 hours, triggering a 60-day countdown under the war powers framework.
Iran retaliated with attacks on Israel and Gulf states that host U.S. bases. The wider conflict, including Israeli operations in Lebanon, has killed thousands and displaced millions.
Proposal for a new mission framework
Amid the legal and political debate, some former officials have proposed a solution. Richard Goldberg, who served on the National Security Council during Trump’s first term, has proposed transitioning to a new operation — possibly named Epic Passage — as a follow-up to earlier military operations.
Such a mission, he said, “is essentially a self-defense mission focused on reopening the strait while retaining the right to take offensive action in support of restoring freedom of navigation.” Goldberg said, “To me, that solves everything.”
(With information from Associated Press, Reuters)
