President Donald Trump has formally notified Congress that military hostilities against Iran resumed on July 7, a move his administration views as initiating a new 60-day period to employ military force in the region without prior congressional authorization.
In a letter dated July 10, President Trump stated, "I directed this military action consistent with my responsibility to protect Americans and United States' national security and foreign policy interests." The correspondence details the president's actions, including an initial two-week ceasefire ordered on April 7 and subsequently extended, alongside diplomatic endeavors aimed at resolving the conflict.
The United States commenced military operations against Iran on February 28, in coordination with Israel. President Trump referenced a memorandum of understanding signed with Iran on June 17, asserting that Iran's violation of this agreement through attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz necessitated renewed strikes.
As the conflict escalated, the U.S. reinstated its blockade of Iranian shipping in the Gulf and committed to ensuring the open passage of the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. Constitution vests the power to declare war solely with Congress, though presidents have historically asserted the right to engage in limited military actions to safeguard national security without immediate lawmaker approval.
The War Powers Act mandates that the president inform Congress within 48 hours of initiating hostilities and stipulates that military actions undertaken without congressional consent must conclude within 60 days. The initial 60-day deadline concerning Iran was May 1. However, the administration contended that this deadline was inapplicable as the president had declared hostilities terminated by the ceasefire, despite ongoing attacks and U.S. blockades of Iranian ports.
Critics from both Democratic and Republican parties have disputed the administration's interpretation of the law. A senior House of Representatives Democratic aide commented anonymously, "The president can't just wish away months of war he said would last only four to six weeks." This sentiment was echoed by recent bipartisan resolutions passed by both the Senate and House directing Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from hostilities with Iran, reflecting mounting concerns over the protracted conflict.
