Will Trump be able to extend US military operations in Iran beyond deadline?

US President Donald Trump has announced an extension of the ceasefire with Iran, stating that the US will continue its blockade on Tehran while waiting for Iran’s proposal for further talks. However, this move comes as Trump faces a deadline in Congress to obtain approval under the War Powers Resolution.

The resolution requires Trump to limit deployments in any ongoing conflict after 60 days, unless he is granted specific authorization to continue. To grant this, both the House of Representatives and the Senate must pass a joint resolution with a simple majority within that 60-day limit.

Trump has until May 1 to obtain congressional approval for continued military action against Iran. If Congress fails to act, Trump may be required to terminate US armed forces deployments beyond the 90-day window. However, there is no clear legal avenue for Congress to enforce this requirement, and past presidents have refused to do so.

A recent Senate vote on April 15 showed that bipartisan efforts to curb Trump’s authority under the War Powers Resolution are unlikely to succeed. The vote was defeated by 52-47, with members voting largely along party lines. Some Republican senators have expressed support for Trump’s actions in Iran but have also stated that they will not support ongoing military action beyond a 60-day window without congressional approval.

Trump’s administration has maintained its blockade on Tehran and is waiting for Iran’s proposal for further talks. The US Congress will need to decide whether to grant authorization for continued military action against Iran by May 1.

Source: Al Jazeera