letters<\/a> sent Friday to Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate President Pro Tempore Charles E. Grassley and obtained by CQ Roll Call.<\/p>\n\u201cOn April 7, 2026, I ordered a 2-week ceasefire. The ceasefire has since been extended. There has been no exchange of fire between United States Forces and Iran since April 7, 2026. The hostilities that began on February 28, 2026, have terminated,\u201d states the letter, which was signed by Trump.<\/p>\n
\u201cDespite the success of United States operations against the Iranian regime and continued efforts to secure a lasting peace, the threat posed by Iran to the United States and our Armed Forces remains significant,\u201d the commander in chief wrote. \u201cAccordingly, the Department of War continues to update its force posture in the [area of responsibility] in select countries, as necessary and appropriate, to address Iranian and Iranian proxy forces\u2019 threats and to protect the United States and its allies and partners.\u201d<\/p>\n
Trump noted those force adjustments would be spelled out for the lawmakers in a classified attachment that was not included in the obtained copy.<\/p>\n
Congressional Democrats have slammed Trump for not seeking lawmakers\u2019 approval of his Iran conflict. They have forced six floor votes on joint resolutions aimed at limiting how powers to conduct the war, but Republicans have knocked those down each time.<\/p>\n
The White House has argued that the president and his team have been transparent with Congress about the operation, which began on Feb. 28. The 60-day clock started several days later, on March 2, when the White House submitted to Congress a report required by the War Powers Act that set forth the Trump\u2019s reasons for joining with Israel in a war on the Islamic Republic government.<\/p>\n
Despite Democrats\u2019 frustrations and criticisms, Trump wrote in the Friday letter that \u201cas the situation evolves, I will continue to update the Congress on noteworthy changes in the United States Armed Forces presence, consistent with the War Powers Resolution.<\/p>\n
\u201cI appreciate the support of the Congress in these actions,\u201d the letter, which is labeled as unclassified, states. \u201cI have and will continue to direct United States Armed Forces consistent with my responsibilities and pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct United States foreign relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive.\u201d<\/p>\n
Democrats have argued that Trump and his team have yet to spell out a clear rationale for the conflict, which has spiked oil and related prices ahead of November\u2019s midterm elections.<\/p>\n
As he departed the White House on Friday for a weekend of events in Florida, a reporter asked Trump about the 60-day deadline and whether he would seek congressional approval for the conflict.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, no other country has ever done it. \u2026 Most people consider it totally unconstitutional,\u201d Trump replied. \u201cAlso, we had a ceasefire, so that gives you additional time. But no other country\u2019s done it. We\u2019re in the midst of a big victory. This is a victory that we haven\u2019t had since Venezuela.\u201d<\/p>\n
In Friday\u2019s letter, the president wrote that he \u201cordered that operation consistent with my responsibility to protect Americans and United States interests at home and abroad, and in furtherance of United States national security and foreign policy interests.\u201d<\/p>\n
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said during testimony Thursday before the Senate Armed Services Committee that his understanding is that, because a ceasefire is in place, the 60-day clock \u201cpauses or stops.\u201d<\/p>\n
Virginia Democrat Tim Kaine, a leading proponent of the war powers resolutions, disagreed with that position.<\/p>\n
Also on Thursday, Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski said that while she did not support war powers resolutions that would force withdrawal in the middle of hostilities with Iran, she plans to introduce an authorization for use of military force, or AUMF, that would place strict limitations on the war\u2019s scope while allowing it to continue.
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