U.S. President Donald Trump has formally informed Congress that the United States has resumed military operations against Iran, following the collapse of a ceasefire. According to the notification, the renewed campaign began on July 7.
The White House said the notification gives the president an additional 60 days to continue military operations without seeking a new authorization from Congress.
According to a copy of the letter cited by Reuters, Trump argued that the military action falls within his constitutional authority as commander-in-chief to protect American citizens, safeguard national security, and defend U.S. foreign policy interests.
The letter also states that after ordering a two-week ceasefire on April 7, the administration made extensive diplomatic efforts to reach a peaceful resolution with Iran.
The United States, together with Israel, first launched military strikes against Iran on February 28. Trump later accused Tehran of violating the ceasefire agreement reached on June 17, claiming Iran continued attacking commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, prompting Washington to restart military operations.
As tensions continue to rise across the Middle East, Trump also announced that the United States would resume efforts to intercept Iranian vessels in the Gulf and ensure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Under U.S. law, only Congress has the constitutional authority to formally declare war. However, the War Powers Resolution allows the president to deploy U.S. armed forces for up to 60 days without congressional authorization.
That 60-day period had originally expired on May 1, but the Trump administration argues that the clock was effectively paused when the ceasefire came into effect. Critics, however, contend that this interpretation stretches the law beyond its intended meaning.
Last month, both the Senate and the House of Representatives passed resolutions calling for an end to the conflict with Iran and urging the withdrawal of U.S. forces from the region.
Trump strongly criticized those resolutions, arguing that they would undermine the government’s ability to respond to security threats, benefit Iran, and ultimately weaken U.S. national security.
