Iran war: Truce stops clock on Congress approval, says Trump's White House

Lead

The Trump administration has notified Congress that it considers the war with Iran to be over, arguing that a ceasefire in place since early April has "terminated" hostilities and therefore paused the clock on a legal deadline for seeking congressional approval.

Under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, a president must terminate the use of US armed forces within 60 days of notifying Congress of military action, unless lawmakers authorise a continuation or grant an extension of up to 30 days. The 60-day period for the US military operation against Iran expired on May 1, according to multiple reports.

Coverage comparison

The BBC reported that US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth argued before the Senate on Thursday that the clock has paused on the deadline to seek approval from Congress. "We are in a ceasefire right now, which our understanding means the 60-day clock pauses or stops in a ceasefire," Hegseth said, according to the BBC.

Dawn reported that the Trump administration formally notified Congress on March 2 following joint US-Israeli strikes launched on February 28, setting up a May 1 deadline. The administration now argues that the ceasefire with Iran — in place since April 7 — effectively ended "hostilities" under the law, Dawn said.

Deutsche Welle reported that the White House says the ceasefire has already "terminated" the conflict, and quoted a senior administration official as saying there had been no exchange of fire between US and Iranian forces since the ceasefire began.

The Guardian reported that in a letter dated May 1, Trump told congressional leaders: "There has been no exchange of fire between United States Forces and Iran since April 7, 2026. The hostilities that began on February 28, 2026, have terminated."

The Jerusalem Post, citing a senior Trump administration official, reported: "For War Powers Resolution purposes, the hostilities that began on Saturday, February 28, have terminated."

Key Claims

• The 1973 War Powers Resolution requires the executive branch to obtain congressional approval for military operations abroad after 60 days, a provision reported by BBC, Dawn, Deutsche Welle, The Guardian, Jerusalem Post, and TASS.
• US President Donald Trump notified Congress that the White House considers the war with Iran to be over due to a ceasefire, as reported by TASS, The Guardian, and the Jerusalem Post.
• US Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer disagreed with Trump's statement, calling the war "illegal" in a post on X, according to TASS.
• Trump claimed congressional approval for war "has never been sought before" and suggested the War Powers Act was "totally unconstitutional," as reported by BBC and The Guardian.
• The conflict began with US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran on February 28, according to BBC and Deutsche Welle.
• The US has imposed a naval blockade on Iran's ports, as reported by Deutsche Welle.

Perspectives

Trump administration: The administration argues that the ceasefire has "terminated" hostilities for War Powers purposes, meaning the 60-day deadline no longer applies. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told the Senate that the "60-day clock pauses or stops in a ceasefire." Trump wrote to Congress that the ceasefire had been extended and there had been no exchange of fire since April 7.

Democratic lawmakers: Democratic Senator Tim Kaine rejected Hegseth's interpretation, saying "I do not believe the statute would support that." He argued the 60 days runs and poses a serious legal question for the administration. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the war "illegal" and said Republicans complicit in allowing it to continue endanger lives.

Legal analyst Andrew Napolitano: The former judge told TASS that Trump's notification is "frivolous" and "farcical," arguing it rests on a misreading of the statute. He said the 60-day period expired on May 1 and that by doing nothing, Congress is denying its approval under the law.