The deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump to end the war with Iran is set to expire on Friday. If no resolution is reached, he will need to turn to Congress to seek an extension. However, the deadline is expected to pass without significant changes to the largely stalled course of the conflict.
Analysts and congressional aides expect that Trump may either notify Congress of his intention to extend the deadline by 30 days or ignore it altogether, with his administration potentially framing the current ceasefire with Iran as effectively ending the war.
War powers have become a highly partisan issue in a deeply divided Congress. Democrats are calling for Congress to reclaim its constitutional authority to declare war, while Republicans accuse Democrats of using the War Powers Act to weaken Trump.
Since the war began, Democrats have repeatedly attempted to pass resolutions aimed at forcing Trump to withdraw U.S. troops or seek congressional authorization. However, pro-Trump Republicans—holding slim majorities in both the House and Senate—have largely voted against these measures.
Under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, a U.S. president may engage in military action for only 60 days without congressional authorization, unless a 30-day extension is requested due to “unavoidable military necessity” related to the safety of U.S. armed forces.
The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran began on February 28. Trump formally notified Congress of the conflict within 48 hours, as required by law, starting the 60-day countdown, which ends on May 1.
Fragile Ceasefire
A U.S. official said Trump is expected to be briefed on Thursday about plans for new military strikes on Iran aimed at forcing it back to negotiations.
If fighting resumes, Trump could argue that a new 60-day period has begun—an approach used by presidents from both parties since the law was enacted following the Vietnam War.
The law itself was passed over a veto by then-President Richard Nixon.
Polls show that Americans do not widely support the war on Iran, especially ahead of midterm elections in six months that will determine control of Congress.
Trump’s approval ratings have declined this month to their lowest point in his current term, amid growing dissatisfaction over the rising cost of living, which many Americans link to the war.
Despite this, Trump maintains strong control over his party, with few Republicans openly opposing his policies. Republicans also strongly support Israel and favor weakening Iran, a long-standing U.S. adversary.
Christopher Preble of the Stimson Center said: “It’s simply partisanship… Republicans are unwilling to challenge the president.”
Ongoing Discussions
The White House has not clarified how it plans to proceed or whether it will seek congressional authorization for the use of military force against Iran.
A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the administration is engaged in “active discussions” with Congress, warning that lawmakers attempting to assert authority over the commander-in-chief risk undermining the U.S. military abroad.
While the U.S. Constitution grants Congress the sole authority to declare war, this restriction does not apply to short-term operations or actions addressing immediate threats.
Some Republicans who opposed previous war powers resolutions said they may reconsider their stance after May 1.
Republican Senator John Curtis said he supports Trump’s actions but would not back continued military operations beyond the deadline without congressional approval.
Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said a peace agreement between Washington and Tehran would be “ideal,” but did not rule out a possible vote on authorizing war.
On the Democratic side, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer co-sponsored resolutions aimed at ending the war, criticizing its economic impact and rising costs for Americans.
Reuters
