A ceasefire between the United States and Iran, which began in early April, has ended hostilities between the two countries for the next deadline for the Congressional war powers resolution, a senior official in President Donald Trump’s administration said this morning.
The Republican had until this Friday to end the operation in Iran or justify its extension to Congress, but it was most likely that the date would pass without altering the course of the conflict. And so it is.
“For the purposes of the war powers resolution, hostilities that began on Saturday, February 28 have ceased,” the official said, explaining the Administration’s position, cited by Reuters.
There has been no exchange of fire between the US military and Iran since a fragile ceasefire began more than three weeks ago, the official added, by way of justification.
Previously, analysts and congressional advisers had indicated that they expected Trump to notify Congress of his intention to extend the ceasefire for 30 days or ignore it, with the Administration arguing that the ceasefire marked the end of the conflict.
The legal context
The 1973 law allows the president 60 days to undertake military actions before ending them, requesting authorization from Congress or a 30-day extension on the grounds of “unavoidable military necessity” for the security of the armed forces.
The war with Iran began with airstrikes launched by Israel and the United States on February 28. Trump formally notified Congress of the conflict 48 hours later, triggering a 60-day deadline until May 1.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified Thursday before the Senate that he understood the 60-day deadline had been suspended during the truce. Opposition Democrats refuted this, stating that there was no such legal provision.
The U.S. Constitution states that only Congress, not the president, can declare war, but this limitation does not apply to operations that the administration considers short-term or intended to counter an immediate threat.
Trump’s Republican Party has a narrow majority in both houses of Congress. Since the start of the war, Democrats have attempted to pass resolutions to force Trump to withdraw U.S. forces or obtain congressional authorization. Republicans have rejected them.
Iran responded to the February 28 attacks by the United States and Israel with its own attacks against Israel and Gulf states hosting American bases. The US and Israeli attacks on Iran and Israeli attacks on Lebanon have left thousands dead and millions displaced.
