USA

Trump formally informs Congress of Iran war resumption

President Trump last week formally notified Congress that the United States had resumed military strikes against Iran, giving the Pentagon an extra 60 days to use U.S. forces in the U.S. Central Command (Centcom) area without Congressional approval.

In a 2-page letter to lawmakers on Friday, Trump said U.S. attacks on Iran resumed on July 7, warning lawmakers under the War Powers Act, which requires the commander in chief to notify Congress within two days of the military taking kinetic action abroad.

In the letter obtained by The Hill, the president wrote, “US ground forces are not involved in these attacks. These attacks are limited, measured, planned and carried out to minimize civilian casualties.”

After the president notifies Congress, the US military can stay in the region for 60 days under the War Powers Act, and the commander in chief can extend the stay for another 30 days. However, distribution beyond this period requires congressional approval.

Trump argued in a May 1 letter to Congress that a fragile ceasefire with Tehran effectively halted the 60-day period on April 7, nearly five weeks after the war began on February 28.

The latest declaration comes as the two countries fight for control of the Strait of Hormuz, a key international chokeway through which about 20 percent of the world’s oil and natural gas flows.

Trump moved to increase pressure on Iran on Monday, officially announcing the resumption of the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which will begin at 4 pm EDT on Tuesday, and demanding a “reimbursement” of 20 percent of all cargo sent to the United States through the waterway.

“The United States will from this point forward be known as the ‘GUARDIAN OF THE HORUZ STRAIT’ but as such and in the interest of JUSTICE will be reimbursed at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped for any expenses necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very unstable part of the world,” the President wrote on Truth Social.

Last week, the US military launched four rounds of strikes against Iran, citing Tehran’s attacks on commercial ships trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The US military has hit more than 300 targets inside the country, according to Centcom, with the latest barrage set for Sunday.

Trump said at the last NATO summit that the ceasefire between the US and Iran was “over”.

“I directed this military action consistent with my responsibility to protect the interests of Americans and the United States both at home and abroad and to advance the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States,” the president said in his letter to Congress.

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