The US Senate opened debate on Wednesday on a resolution to limit President Donald Trump’s authority to go to war with Iran, with passage likely after eight Republicans sided with Democrats to advance the bill.

In the early hours of Thursday, a vote on the war powers resolution could take place amid concerns that Trump could embark on open military conflict with Tehran without consulting Congress.

The US leader is expected to veto the legislation, he warned the Senate Wednesday to vote it down and not limit his policy choices.

Taking to Twitter, Trump tweeted, “It is very important for our Country’s SECURITY that the United States Senate not vote for the Iran War Powers Resolution”.

It is very important for our Country’s SECURITY that the United States Senate not vote for the Iran War Powers Resolution. We are doing very well with Iran and this is not the time to show weakness. Americans overwhelmingly support our attack on terrorist Soleimani….

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 12, 2020

“We are doing very well with Iran and this is not the time to show weakness… If my hands were tied, Iran would have a field day. Sends a very bad signal. The Democrats are only doing this as an attempt to embarrass the Republican Party.”, the president further posted.

In January the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives passed its own version of the law, after Trump’s order to kill Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani and retaliatory missile strikes by Tehran dramatically escalated tensions and raised fears of a devastating war between the two foes.

On Tuesday, Iranian leader Hassan Rouhani said while indicating to the US, “It is unbearable for the United States to accept the victory of a great nation and that a superpower has been driven out of this land”.

Last year, in May, President Trump withdrew the US from the 2015 nuclear pact between Tehran and six world powers and has since reimposed and expanded punishing sanctions as part of a stated campaign of “maximum pressure” against Iran.

Iranian officials have stressed that for any talks with the US, Washington should return to Tehran’s nuclear deal from which it withdrew in 2018 and implement its obligation under the accord.