Trump’s US-Iran War Powers Deadline Looms

President Donald Trump’s war in Iran hits its 60th day on Friday, setting up a showdown with Congress over whether he can continue the conflict without lawmakers’ approval. Under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, the president has 48 hours to notify and regularly update Congress about a conflict, and he only has 60 days to engage in hostilities without congressional approval. As the conflict drags on and negotiations stall, is Trump running out of options? 

A Rule Meant to be Broken?

According to a strict reading of the law, Congress needs to either declare war in Iran, grant an extension, or order Trump to withdraw and end hostilities. But what if Congress does nothing? Again, according to a strict reading, Trump must end the operation.

In the real world, however, that's often not how it works.

The War Powers Resolution was passed in 1973, and since then presidents have ignored it about half a dozen times without real consequences. George H.W. Bush invaded Panama in 1989 and blew past the 60-day limit, arguing from a constitutional standpoint that he had to in order to defend US citizens in the area. Though controversial, this act went unaddressed by Congress.

Ronald Reagan deployed "military advisors" to El Salvador and invaded Grenada in 1981 and 1983, respectively, without adhering to the timeline. Bill Clinton continued bombing Kosovo and Yugoslavia for more than two weeks beyond the limit without authorization. Barack Obama in 2011 continued the NATO-led "military intervention" in Libya beyond 60 days, arguing that we weren't in "hostilities" as defined by the act. In 2014, airstrikes against the Islamic State continued past the deadline. Again, Obama argued it didn't fit the letter of the law for the War Powers Resolution.

President Trump got away with continuing military action against Iran-backed groups in 2020 without seeking authorization before the deadline. So, yes, the clock is ticking - but with the right reason (or excuse, depending on your perspective) or perhaps with just enough dysfunction in Congress, the War Powers Resolution is more of a guideline than a hard rule.

Iran in ‘State of Collapse’

As for reasons, Iran keeps trying to avoid nuclear talks with the US, instead demanding that the Trump administration lift its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and end the war before Tehran addresses its nuclear ambitions. Unsurprisingly, Trump rejected Iran’s proposition, stating that he intends to keep the blockade in place until the Middle Eastern nation agrees to discuss the future of its nuclear program, according to Axios.

While both the US and Iran are digging in their heels, Trump said the latter is in a “state of collapse” – a status that appeared to be confirmed by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who urged his people to limit their electricity usage amid the ongoing conflict. “I ask our dear people who are ready and present on the ground to reduce their electricity and energy consumption,” he said, adding that the United States’ “aim in targeting infrastructure and imposing a blockade is to create public dissatisfaction.”

Early Wednesday, President Trump shared on Truth Social an AI-generated image of himself holding a rifle with explosions lighting up a Middle Eastern hillside behind him. The image’s caption reads: “NO MORE MR. NICE GUY.” In true Trump fashion, his message was more entertaining than illuminating. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, however, offered a clearer explanation of the administration’s ongoing objective in Iran:

“Suffice it to say that the nuclear question is the reason why we’re in this in the first place. If Iran was just a radical country run by radical people, you know, it’d still be a problem. But they are revolutionary. In essence, they seek to expand and export their revolution. Not just what they do in Iran. That’s why they’re with Hezbollah in Lebanon. That’s [why] they’ve supported Hamas. That’s how they’ve support[ed] the militias in Iraq. They don’t just seek to dominate Iran. They seek to dominate the region. And imagine that with a nuclear weapon.”

Trump previously extended the US-Iran ceasefire “until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other.” That time may be imminent: US Central Command (CENTCOM) is reportedly considering a new wave of strikes targeting Iranian infrastructure to force movement in the stalled nuclear negotiations.

The Clock Is Ticking

Trump’s 60-day deadline is rapidly approaching, and Congress may choose to extend it for 30 days. even if they don't, however, the president may not have much motivation to call it quits. If he doesn't, congressional Democrats may file a lawsuit against the administration. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) said he is “absolutely in favor of a lawsuit,” but expressed concerns over whether they would have standing. “If we don't have standing, then it would mean that, basically, this law could never be enforced,” he noted.

Trump is facing mounting pressure on two fronts: stalled negotiations with Iran and a looming legal fight at home. With the war powers deadline closing in and Tehran refusing to budge, the president appears to be in a pressure cooker that’s ready to erupt.