Trump Declares Iran Hostilities Ended, Avoiding War Powers Deadline

President Donald Trump has informed Congress that hostilities with Iran, which began on February 28, 2026, have "terminated," effectively bypassing the May 1 deadline under the War Powers Resolution that requires congressional approval for military actions extending beyond 60 days. In a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate President Pro Tempore Chuck Grassley, Trump stated, "The hostilities that began on February 28, 2026, have terminated."

Despite this assertion, U.S. forces remain in the region, and Trump acknowledged that the threat from Iran persists, noting that "the threat posed by Iran to the United States and our Armed Forces remains significant."

The administration argues that the early April ceasefire effectively ended active hostilities, thereby pausing the War Powers Resolution's 60-day clock. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated during a congressional hearing, "We are in a ceasefire right now, which our understanding means, the 60-day clock pauses or stops."

This interpretation has sparked debate among lawmakers. Senator Susan Collins emphasized the necessity of congressional approval, stating, "The president's authority as commander in chief is not without limits... the 60-day deadline is not a suggestion, it is a requirement."

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal criticized the administration's stance, asserting, "There's no pause button in the Constitution, ... ."

The situation remains complex, with ongoing debates over the interpretation of the War Powers Resolution and the necessity of congressional authorization for continued military operations.