Trump Claims New 60-Day Window for Military Action Against Iran

US President Donald Trump has formally notified Congress that hostilities against Iran resumed on 7 July, a move his administration says opens a new 60-day window for deploying military forces in the region without prior approval from lawmakers.

In a letter dated 10 July, Trump cited his constitutional responsibility to protect Americans, national security and US foreign policy interests. He said Iran had violated the 17 June memorandum of understanding by attacking commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting him to order renewed strikes and reinstate the blockade of Iranian shipping.

Under the War Powers Act, the president must notify Congress within 48 hours of initiating hostilities and terminate military action within 60 days unless lawmakers authorize it.

Critics, including Democrats and Republican opponents of the war, argue that the White House is misinterpreting and circumventing the law. Trump maintains that the two-week ceasefire announced in April reset the original statutory deadline, even though attacks continued and US forces maintained their blockade of Iranian ports.

Both chambers of Congress passed a resolution last month directing the president to withdraw US forces from hostilities with Iran. Trump sharply criticized the vote, accusing its supporters of providing “comfort” to Tehran and making his job “more difficult”.

(Reuters, Max)