Iran tensions rise again, Trump sends letter to Congress

US President Donald Trump has officially notified Congress that the US military conflict with Iran has resumed. According to his administration, the declaration begins a new 60-day period during which the president can proceed with military action against Iran without congressional approval.
In the letter, Trump said that military action against Iran has resumed since July 7. He wrote, “I have ordered this military action as part of my constitutional duty to protect the safety of the American people and the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States.”
In the letter, Trump noted that Tehran has violated the memorandum of understanding signed with Iran on June 17. It is alleged that Iran violated the agreement by attacking commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. In light of this, he ordered another military strike against the Islamic Republic.
The letter also highlights various steps taken by the Trump administration. These include the announcement of a two-week ceasefire on April 7. Later, its term was extended and various efforts were made to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict. Incidentally, the United States launched a military operation against Iran on February 28 in coordination with Israel. However, the conflict has recently intensified. On Monday, Trump also announced that the Gulf blockade on Iranian shipping will be reimposed and that the United States will take measures to continue shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
New debate over the power to declare war
According to the US Constitution, only Congress has the power to formally declare war. However, presidents have long claimed the power to conduct military operations without congressional authorization for a limited period of time in the interests of national security.
According to the War Powers Act, the president must notify Congress within 48 hours of the start of military operations. At the same time, there is an obligation to end military operations started without congressional authorization within 60 days.
The first 60-day period on the Iran issue was supposed to end on May 1. However, Trump has claimed that the conflict has ended through a ceasefire, so the previous period no longer applies. Despite the ceasefire, attacks on Iran and the blockade of its ports continued.
Criticism of Trump’s explanation
The Trump administration’s explanation has not been accepted by anti-war Democrats and some anti-war Republican lawmakers. There have been allegations that the Trump administration is misinterpreting the War Powers Act.
A senior Democratic aide in the House of Representatives, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “President Trump cannot arbitrarily declare a war that has been going on for months to be over, especially when he himself has said that the war will not last more than four to six weeks.”
Last month, both the Senate and the House of Representatives passed a resolution ordering the withdrawal of US forces from the ongoing military campaign against Iran. The passage of the resolution, despite a slim Republican majority, highlights Congress’ concern about a protracted conflict.
However, after the vote, Trump reacted sharply, saying that those who voted for the resolution were “giving Iran a break” and making their job “much harder.”