Trump tells Congress ceasefire means he does not need their approval for Iran war

President Donald Trump has told Congress that US hostilities with Iran have "terminated" owing to an ongoing ceasefire as he argued that he did not need lawmakers' authorisation for the conflict.

"There has been no exchange of fire between the United States Forces and Iran since April 7, 2026," the president wrote to congressional leaders. "The hostilities that began on February 28, 2026 have terminated."

It came on the 60th day since he formally notified Congress of strikes against Iran.

US law requires him to "terminate any use of United States Armed Forces" within 60 days of such a notification - unless Congress allows a continuation.

The relevant piece of US law, the decades-old War Powers Resolution, makes certain requirements of a president "within sixty calendar days" of their use of US armed forces in combat.

It requires a president to end the use of those forces unless Congress makes a formal declaration of war or allows the president an extension, up to 30 days in length, for the "prompt removal" of troops.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also argued before a congressional hearing on Thursday that the clock had paused on the deadline to seek legislators' approval.

"We are in a ceasefire right now, which our understanding means the 60-day clock pauses or stops in a ceasefire," he said.

The questioner, Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, responded: "I do not believe the statute would support that."