Trump Declares End to Iran Hostilities as Legal Deadline Triggers Dispute With Congress

Mintesinot Niggusie

A 60-day deadline under the War Powers Resolution has brought renewed tension between the White House and Congress, as U.S. President Donald Trump declared that hostilities with Iran had ended following a ceasefire.

In a letter to congressional leaders, Trump said there had been no exchange of fire since the ceasefire and stated that the hostilities that began on February 28, 2026, had terminated. The notification came as the statutory period requiring either congressional authorisation or the cessation of military action expired on May 1.

The administration has maintained that the legal requirement does not apply, with Trump arguing that the law is unconstitutional. While similar concerns have been raised by previous presidents, the issue has not been conclusively resolved by the courts.

Despite the declaration, Trump acknowledged that the situation remains unresolved, describing Iran as a significant threat to U.S. forces. He also said the ceasefire provided additional time, telling reporters that it allowed for flexibility beyond the original deadline.

Democratic lawmakers rejected that interpretation, arguing that the law contains no provision for extending the timeline due to a ceasefire. They also cited the continued deployment of U.S. naval forces tasked with enforcing restrictions on Iranian oil exports as evidence that hostilities had not fully ceased.

Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the deadline represents a clear legal requirement and criticised the administration for failing to present a defined strategy.

Republican lawmakers, who hold narrow majorities in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, have largely supported the administration and voted against measures seeking to compel an end to the conflict or require formal authorisation.