WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is currently positing that the ongoing conflict with Iran has effectively concluded due to a ceasefire that initiated in early April. This interpretation allows the White House to bypass the need for congressional approval under the War Powers Resolution, a decision that could have significant implications for U.S. military engagement. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth articulated this stance during Senate testimony, claiming that the ceasefire has effectively paused hostilities that began on February 28.
A senior administration official, speaking anonymously, remarked that, for the purposes of the War Powers Resolution, the hostilities have ceased since no exchanges of fire have occurred since the ceasefire commenced on April 7. Although the ceasefire has been extended, Iran continues to exert its influence over the Strait of Hormuz, an essential maritime passage, while the U.S. Navy maintains a blockade aimed at preventing Iranian oil tankers from navigating international waters.
The War Powers Resolution is designed to limit a president's military authority, stipulating that President Donald Trump had until a specific deadline — which coincided with the 60-day mark following the initiation of hostilities — to seek congressional authorization or terminate military operations. This previously established law also permits a 30-day extension under certain circumstances. As this deadline approached, members of Congress, particularly Democrats, have urged the administration to obtain formal approval for military action in Iran.
Several Republican lawmakers, who initially supported limited action against Tehran, are now inclined to require congressional input for any extended military endeavors. Senator Susan Collins of Maine emphasized that the deadline mandated by the War Powers Resolution is a legal requirement that must be adhered to, asserting that any future military actions against Iran should be accompanied by a clearly defined mission and strategy for resolution.
Richard Goldberg, who previously served as director for countering Iranian weapons of mass destruction at the National Security Council, suggested that the administration consider shifting to a new operation, tentatively titled "Epic Passage," which could serve as a successor to Operation Epic Fury. Goldberg argued that this new mission would focus on self-defense and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, while still maintaining the potential for offensive operations to ensure the freedom of navigation in the region.
During the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Secretary Hegseth indicated the administration's belief that the 60-day countdown was effectively paused during the ceasefire. This claim drew skepticism from Senate Democrats, particularly Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, who stated that Hegseth had presented an unprecedented and legally unsupported argument regarding the interpretation of the War Powers Resolution.
Legal expert Katherine Yon Ebright from the Brennan Center’s Liberty and National Security Program criticized the administration’s interpretation, contending that it constitutes a significant misreading of the War Powers Resolution. Ebright clarified that the law does not allow for the 60-day clock to be paused or terminated. She highlighted that previous administrations have made similar arguments asserting that their military actions were not sufficiently intense to necessitate adherence to the requirements outlined in the 1973 law. However, she pointed out that Trump's military engagement in Iran certainly does not fall under such exceptions and urged lawmakers to challenge the administration's claims.
