The Trump administration is constrained in its war on Iran by the 1973 War Powers Resolution law, which requires several notification and approval steps meant to keep a commander-in-chief’s military powers in check.
One of its provisions is that military action authorised by the president without Congress approval must end after 60 days or has declared war. That 60-day clock runs out on Friday (US time).
The White House has not indicated whether Donald Trump will seek an extension under the War Powers law.AP
One White House official said the administration was in “active conversations” with lawmakers on addressing the deadline, but did not elaborate. The official was granted anonymity to discuss private deliberations.
The administration can request a 30-day extension of Trump’s order by telling Congress in writing that there’s a continued need for military action. The White House, which has long stressed that the president is working towards a diplomatic option in Iran, hasn’t indicated publicly whether Trump would seek that extension.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has said the ceasefire postpones the deadline for securing approval.
AP