The Trump administration is arguing that the war in Iran has ended due to the ceasefire, saying that voids the need for the White House to seek congressional approval for the war.
According to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth who stated in testimony before the Senate, the war is paused and has not yet met the requirement mandated by a 1973 law to seek approval for military action that extends beyond 60 days, which began on Feb. 28.
The administration said the U.S. military and Iran have not exchanged fire since April 7.
Meanwhile, in April, President Trump announced on Truth Social that the U.S. Navy forces attacked and seized the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska in the Gulf of Oman, damaging the ship’s engine room and gaining control, sparking intense, ongoing tensions and accusations of maritime piracy from Tehran amid a fragile, temporary ceasefire. Trump claimed the U.S. Navy “blew a hole in the engine room.”
Following this incident, Trump ordered the U.S. Navy to 'shoot and kill' any Iranian small boats that harass U.S. vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
Under the War Powers Resolution, the law that sought to constrain a president’s military powers, Trump had until Friday to seek congressional authorization or cease fighting. The law also allows an administration to extend that deadline by 30 days.
“That deadline is not a suggestion; it is a requirement,” said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, who voted Thursday in favor of a measure that would end military action in Iran since Congress hadn’t given its approval. She added that “further military action against Iran must have a clear mission, achievable goals, and a defined strategy for bringing the conflict to a close.”
Meanwhile, according to reports, the U.S. military may have already used up half of its most expensive missiles, which could take up to four years to rebuild its stockpiles, and depleted its store of seven major types of missiles, intensifying concerns of a “near-term risk” it will run out of munitions for a future war.
Near-term shortages include nearly 50% of THAAD and Patriot air defense, and 45% of Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM) depleted. Rebuilding these, specifically Tomahawks and interceptors, faces 3-to-5-year production delays, creating risks for other regional conflicts.
The shortage has forced the US to divert missiles from other regions to the Middle East.