Trump Faces War Powers Deadline on Iran Conflict

President Donald Trump confronts a pivotal deadline on Friday under the 1973 War Powers Resolution, which requires the withdrawal of U.S. forces from hostilities in Iran or congressional authorization exactly 60 days after formal notification to lawmakers. The conflict began on February 28 with U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets, prompting Trump to notify Congress on March 2 and starting the statutory clock.

The administration has maintained a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, involving ship boardings and shootings at Iranian vessels, even after a ceasefire took effect on April 8 and was extended indefinitely last week. Trump recently canceled planned peace talks in Pakistan, while receiving briefings on potential new strikes to pressure Iran into negotiations over its nuclear program and shipping routes.

Legal experts emphasize that the resolution limits presidential military action to 60 days absent congressional approval, with a possible 30-day extension only for safely withdrawing forces. "It's not a 30-day blank check for the president to continue whatever hostilities he sees fit," said David Janovsky, acting director of the Constitution Project at the...