White House Says Iran Hostilities Have Ended, Avoiding Immediate War Powers Deadline

The Trump administration is asserting that US hostilities with Iran have effectively ended, a position that could allow the White House to avoid seeking immediate congressional approval for military action under the War Powers Resolution.

Administration officials argue that a ceasefire, which took effect on April 7, brought an end to the active phase of the conflict. Under this interpretation, the 60-day clock requiring congressional authorization for extended military action has been halted.

A senior administration official said the hostilities that began on February 28 were terminated once the ceasefire took hold. According to the official, US and Iranian forces have not exchanged fire since the truce began, even as tensions remain high across the region.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth advanced the same argument during testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, saying the administration believes the War Powers timeline is paused while the ceasefire remains in place.

That interpretation is likely to face significant legal and political scrutiny. The War Powers Resolution requires presidents to obtain congressional approval within 60 days of initiating military action, unless Congress grants an extension. Without such approval, military operations must begin winding down.

Democrats have strongly challenged the administration’s reading of the law, arguing that the ceasefire does not erase the legal obligation to seek authorization. Legal experts have also expressed skepticism.

Katherine Yon Ebright, a specialist in war powers law at the Brennan Center for Justice, said the administration’s position has no basis in the text of the statute. She argued that nothing in the law permits the 60-day clock to be paused or reset during a temporary halt in fighting.

Some Republicans have also voiced concern. Senator Susan Collins said the deadline is a legal requirement, not merely a guideline. She joined efforts in the Senate to restrict continued military action absent congressional approval.

Despite the ceasefire, the broader crisis remains unresolved. Iran continues to restrict shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, while the US Navy maintains a blockade aimed at limiting Iranian oil exports. The waterway remains a focal point of global concern due to its importance to international energy markets.

The debate now centers on whether the administration can lawfully treat the current standoff as a new phase of operations rather than a continuation of the existing conflict. Some former officials have suggested launching a separate mission focused on restoring freedom of navigation in the strait, which could provide a new legal framework for military action.

For now, the White House’s position has postponed an immediate clash with Congress. But with lawmakers from both parties demanding greater oversight, the constitutional battle over presidential war powers is far from over.