A SENIOR official in the administration of US President Donald Trump has said that a U.S.–Iran ceasefire in place since early April has effectively “terminated” hostilities for the purposes of an imminent congressional war powers deadline, reducing pressure on the White House to seek formal authorisation or halt operations.
Trump faced a Friday deadline under the War Powers Resolution to end U.S. involvement in the conflict, obtain approval from Congress, or justify an extension.
Reuters cited on Friday that, however, officials indicated the date would most likely pass without altering the current course of the war, citing the absence of active combat.
“For War Powers Resolution purposes, the hostilities that began on Saturday, February 28, have terminated,” the official said, outlining the administration’s legal position.
“There has been no exchange of fire between the U.S. armed forces and Iran since a fragile ceasefire began more than three weeks ago,” the official added.
Analysts and congressional aides had earlier suggested the administration might notify lawmakers of a 30-day extension or ignore the deadline altogether, arguing that the ceasefire effectively marked the end of active conflict.
The 1973 law permits a president to conduct military operations for up to 60 days without congressional authorisation, followed by a possible 30-day extension on grounds of “unavoidable military necessity” to ensure the safety of armed forces.
The conflict began on 28 February with coordinated airstrikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets. Trump formally notified Congress within 48 hours, triggering the 60-day deadline that falls on 1 May.
At a Senate hearing on Thursday, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said he understood that the 60-day clock had effectively paused during the ceasefire.
Democrats rejected that interpretation, arguing there is no provision in the law to suspend the timeline during a truce.
Under the U.S. Constitution, only Congress has the authority to declare war, although administrations have historically bypassed this constraint by framing military actions as limited engagements or responses to immediate threats.
Trump’s Republican Party holds narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress, enabling it to block Democratic-led efforts to force a withdrawal of U.S. forces or require formal authorisation for the campaign.
Iran responded to the initial February strikes by the United States and Israel with retaliatory attacks on Israel and Gulf states hosting American bases. Subsequent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, along with Israeli operations in Lebanon, have resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions. - May 1, 2026
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