US President Donald Trump has formally notified congress that military action against Iran resumed on July 7, a move that his administration says begins a new 60-day period during which US forces can continue operations without fresh congressional authorisation under the War Powers Resolution.In a letter dated July 10 and obtained by Reuters, Trump informed lawmakers that hostilities had resumed after Iran allegedly violated a ceasefire agreement by attacking commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.“I directed this military action consistent with my responsibility to protect Americans and United States’ national security and foreign policy interests,” Trump wrote in the letter.The notification was submitted, Trump said, “as part of my efforts to keep the congress fully informed, consistent with the War Powers Resolution.”Ceasefire declared overAccording to the letter, Trump had ordered a two-week ceasefire on April 7, which was later extended as his administration pursued a diplomatic solution.The letter also refers to a memorandum of understanding signed with Iran on June 17, saying Tehran violated the agreement by attacking commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, prompting Washington to resume military operations.The United States began military action against Iran alongside Israel on February 28. Last week, Trump declared that the ceasefire was “over”, and the US has since launched several rounds of strikes against Iran.On Monday, Trump also announced that the United States was reinstating its blockade of Iranian shipping in the Gulf and would ensure the Strait of Hormuz remained open. Additionally, the US military said it concluded its latest strikes on Iran early Tuesday, targeting coastal defence systems, missile and drone sites across six locations. Iran retaliated by attacking Bahrain and two UAE-linked tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, killing one crew member, injuring eight others and prompting the UAE to threaten retaliation.“United States Armed Forces remain postured to take further action, as necessary and appropriate, to address further threats and attacks upon the United States or its allies and partners and to ensure the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran ceases being a threat to the United States and to our allies and partners,” the letter said, according to CBS News.Under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, the American president must notify congress within 48 hours of introducing US forces into hostilities. Military action undertaken without congressional approval must generally end within 60 days unless lawmakers authorise its continuation.The Trump administration has argued that the previous 60-day deadline no longer applied because hostilities formally ended when the ceasefire took effect on April 7, despite continued military activity in the region.That interpretation has drawn criticism from lawmakers.“The president can’t just wish away months of war he said would last only four to six weeks,” a senior House of Representatives Democratic aide told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.Last month, both the house of representatives and the senate passed a war powers resolution directing Trump to withdraw US forces from hostilities with Iran without congressional authorisation. The votes reflected growing concern among lawmakers over the prolonged conflict.Trump responded by accusing supporters of the resolution of providing “comfort” to Iran and making his job “more difficult.”CBS News also reported that democrats are considering legal options to compel the administration to comply with the war powers resolution, while Trump has maintained that his actions fall within his constitutional authority as president.
