Trump administration says Iran ceasefire ends war powers deadline, Democrats push back

Under the 1973 law, a US president can conduct military operations for 60 days without congressional approval. After that, the administration must either seek authorisation from Congress or begin withdrawing forces, unless a 30-day extension is justified by military necessity.

The current conflict began on February 28, when US and Israeli forces launched airstrikes on Iran. Trump formally notified Congress within 48 hours, triggering the 60-day countdown, which ended on May 1.

As the deadline approached, a senior administration official said the requirement no longer applied because active hostilities had ceased following a ceasefire. “For War Powers Resolution purposes, the hostilities… have terminated,” the official said.

Democrats rejected that interpretation, arguing that the law does not provide exemptions based on ceasefires. They pointed to the continued deployment of US naval forces blockading Iranian oil exports as evidence that hostilities are ongoing.

Senator Jeanne Shaheen criticised the administration, saying the president lacked a clear strategy for ending the conflict and describing the deadline as a “clear legal threshold” requiring action.

The dispute comes as Congress remains divided. Republican lawmakers, who hold narrow majorities, have largely supported Trump and blocked multiple attempts to pass resolutions that would force an end to the conflict or require formal approval.

The war has had significant consequences, with thousands killed, major economic damage, and disruptions to global energy markets contributing to rising prices. Public opinion polls show the conflict is unpopular in the United States, with concerns over inflation and economic strain affecting Trump’s approval ratings ahead of upcoming elections.

The US Constitution grants Congress the authority to declare war, though presidents have historically exercised broad powers to initiate limited or short-term military actions. Analysts note that, if fighting resumes, the administration could argue that a new timeline under the War Powers Resolution has begun — a strategy used by previous administrations in intermittent conflicts.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts remain uncertain. Iran’s state media reported that Tehran has submitted a new proposal for negotiations through intermediaries, though no agreement has yet been reached.