A US-Iran ceasefire that began in early April ended hostilities for purposes of a congressional war powers deadline, a senior official in President Donald Trump’s administration said Thursday.
The official said there had been no exchange of fire between U.S. armed forces and Iran since the fragile ceasefire began more than three weeks earlier.
Trump faced a Friday deadline to end the Iran war, seek congressional authorisation or justify a 30-day extension under the War Powers Resolution.
“For War Powers Resolution purposes, the hostilities that began on Saturday, February 28, have terminated,” the official said, describing the administration’s position.
The 1973 law gives a president 60 days to wage military action before ending it, seeking authorisation from Congress or requesting a 30-day extension on grounds of “unavoidable military necessity” for U.S. forces.
The Iran war began with airstrikes by Israel and the United States on February 28. Trump notified Congress 48 hours later, triggering a 60-day deadline of May 1.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told a Senate hearing Thursday he understood the 60-day clock stopped during the truce. Opposition Democrats disputed that interpretation, saying the law contains no such provision.
The U.S. Constitution gives Congress authority to declare war, but presidents have often argued that short-term military operations or responses to immediate threats do not require prior authorisation.
Trump’s Republican Party holds narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress. Democrats have tried to pass resolutions requiring Trump to withdraw U.S. forces or obtain congressional approval, but Republicans voted them down.
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Iran responded to the February 28 U.S.-Israeli strikes with attacks on Israel and Gulf states hosting American bases. U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed thousands and displaced millions.
