A ceasefire with Iran has opened a legal grey zone in Washington, with the Trump administration and lawmakers clashing over whether war authorisation rules still apply.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth (File image | Xinhua via IANS)
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday (local time) told lawmakers that the ongoing ceasefire with Iran effectively “pauses” the 60-day deadline for congressional authorisation of military action, triggering a sharp legal disagreement in Washington.
The exchange unfolded during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, where Democratic Senator Tim Kaine questioned whether the Donald Trump administration would seek Congress’ approval as the deadline under the War Powers Act approached.
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The debate comes at a critical moment for the administration, with May 1 marking 60 days since President Trump formally notified Congress of military operations against Iran. Under US law, the President must either secure authorisation or begin winding down hostilities once this period ends, making the ceasefire’s legal status central to the administration’s next move.
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Responding to Kaine, Hegseth said, “Ultimately, I would defer to the White House and White House counsel on that. However, we are in a ceasefire right now, which our understanding means the 60-day clock pauses or stops in a ceasefire.”
Kaine rejected the interpretation, warning that the timeline continues to run. “I do not believe the statute would support that. I think the 60 days runs (out) maybe tomorrow, and that’s going to pose a really important legal question for the administration,” he said.
The War Powers Resolution of 1973 requires the US President to obtain congressional approval within 60 days of initiating military action or end the operation. With the Iran conflict nearing that threshold, the administration’s reading of the ceasefire could have significant legal and political consequences.
Hegseth also defended the administration’s conduct of the conflict, asserting that the US military has maintained an “ironclad commitment” to minimising civilian casualties. He said the Pentagon has “every resource necessary” to protect civilians, including human oversight in AI-assisted systems, as reported by ANI citing Al Jazeera.
However, lawmakers raised concerns over civilian harm, including a reported early strike that killed more than 170 people at a girls’ school. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand questioned the rationale behind continuing the conflict, asking, “Why do you continue to prosecute a war that the American people aren’t behind?”
Hegseth maintained that public support exists, stating, “I believe we do have the support of the American people,” noting the conflict began only two months ago.
Gillibrand pushed back, saying there was “no evidence” that the war had made the US safer or that Iran posed an imminent threat.
President Trump, meanwhile, described the US actions as a “military operation” rather than a war, suggesting room for negotiation. “Iran is dying to make a deal,” he said, claiming Tehran’s economy is “crashing” under blockade measures.
He further asserted that US operations had significantly weakened Iran’s military capabilities, saying its navy and air force were effectively gone, while drone and missile production had been severely reduced.
The conflict traces back to February 28, when the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities, killing Iran’s then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei along with senior commanders and civilians.
Even as the ceasefire holds, tensions remain high on the ground. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian criticised what he described as continued military and economic pressure, particularly the US naval blockade.
“The world has witnessed Iran’s tolerance and conciliation. What is being done under the guise of a naval blockade is an extension of military operations,” he said in a post on X, adding that the “oppressive approach is intolerable,” according to ANI.
US Central Command said 44 commercial vessels had been turned back as part of blockade operations in the Arabian Sea.
Iranian Parliament Speaker MB Ghalibaf also warned that Tehran would assert control over the Strait of Hormuz and end US “presence and interference” in the region.
Amid the escalating tensions, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump held a phone call earlier this week, focusing on Iran and the Persian Gulf situation, the Kremlin said.
Putin supported Trump’s decision to extend the ceasefire, calling it a step that could stabilise the region. He also warned of “extremely dire consequences” for Iran, its neighbours, and the wider international community if hostilities resume.
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