Trump informed Congress that military actions against Iran have been halted — AP

The Trump administration in the US has announced that military operations related to Iran have concluded before the expiration of the 60-day legislative deadline. AP reports on this.

 

It is reported that the White House considers the truce declared in early April as the de facto end of the war. This approach may allow the administration to bypass the requirement to obtain formal authorization from Congress.

 

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth emphasized in his Senate testimony that the truce has "halted" the war. On this basis, the administration argues that the 60-day deadline stipulated under the 1973 War Powers Resolution has not yet been triggered.

 

According to this resolution, US President Donald Trump must consult with Congress before deploying troops abroad and initiating military actions. The use of armed forces without Congressional approval is limited to 60 days, and this document holds the status of federal law.

 

According to a senior administration source, "military operations that began on February 28 are considered concluded." He also stated that there have been no clashes between the US and Iran since the two-week truce that began on April 7.

 

However, the situation has not fully stabilized. Iran maintains control over the Strait of Hormuz, while the US Navy has established a blockade to restrict Iranian oil tankers from accessing the sea.

 

It is reported that the 60-day deadline expires on May 1. According to Reuters, once this deadline expires, the president must choose one of three options: cease military operations, request an additional 30-day period for troop withdrawal, or obtain formal authorization from Congress to continue operations.

 

Democrats are demanding that the administration seek formal authorization for the operation against Iran. While some Republicans supported short-term actions, they consider Congressional involvement necessary for prolonged operations, and some have openly stated they do not support continuing the war.

 

Richard Goldberg, who served as director for countering weapons of mass destruction on the National Security Council during Trump's first presidency, has recommended that the administration transition to a new operational format. In his view, a new mission, which could be named "Epic Passage," would be a continuation of the previous "Epic Fury" operation, focused on self-defense and aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

 

Senator Susan Collins of Maine emphasized that "this deadline is not a recommendation but an obligation" and supported the initiative to cease military operations without Congressional approval. According to her, the next steps must have clear objectives and a strategy.

 

Experts, however, are questioning the administration's legal interpretation. Specifically, Senator Tim Kaine, who raised this issue in the Senate, assessed the approach as "unprecedented and lacking a legal basis."