The US House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a resolution calling for the withdrawal of American troops from the ongoing conflict with Iran, marking a significant political setback for President Donald Trump despite the measure facing uncertain prospects in the Senate and a likely presidential veto.

The resolution was approved by a narrow 215-208 vote, with four Republican lawmakers breaking ranks to join Democrats in support of the measure. It will now move to the Senate, where Republican leaders may attempt to block its passage.

In a statement posted on X, Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs Committee described the vote as a clear message to the president.

“This is a loud and unambiguous message to Donald Trump on behalf of the American people: it’s time to end his deeply unpopular and illegal war of choice in Iran,” the committee said.

The vote marks the first time the Republican-controlled House has approved legislation aimed at forcing the administration to scale back military operations against Iran since the conflict began three months ago.

Democrats argue that the measure is an important step toward restoring Congress’s constitutional authority over decisions involving war and military engagement. A similar resolution has already cleared a key procedural hurdle in the Senate and could be considered by the chamber as early as this week.

The Trump administration maintains that the conflict is effectively over, despite continued military exchanges between US and Iranian forces and limited progress in diplomatic efforts to secure a lasting peace agreement.

At the centre of the dispute is the US War Powers Act, which requires presidents to seek congressional authorization within 60 days of committing American forces to hostilities. Democrats contend that the administration exceeded that deadline weeks ago and is therefore acting outside constitutional limits.

The White House rejects that interpretation, arguing that an April ceasefire effectively paused the timeline outlined under the law.

Tensions have nevertheless remained high. The United States said it intercepted Iranian drones and conducted a strike on an Iranian ground-control facility overnight, while Iranian forces reportedly launched drones and missiles toward several Gulf states.

Republican lawmakers supporting President Trump argued that withdrawing US forces at this stage would weaken American influence and security interests while Iran remains under pressure. However, divisions within the president’s party have become increasingly visible as concerns grow about the political impact of the conflict ahead of November’s midterm elections.