Deadline reached for Trump to seek approval for war with Iran | BBC News
The 60-day War Powers Act deadline has been reached since Trump notified Congress of military action against Iran, requiring either withdrawal or congressional authorization. Despite a ceasefire, military buildup continues with the US deploying additional assets to the region, and both Israel and hardline advisors are pressuring Trump to resume strikes. Trump himself is reportedly reluctant to restart the war due to fears of Iranian retaliation and rising oil prices.
Summary
The report centers on a critical legal and military deadline: 60 days have passed since President Trump formally notified Congress of military action against Iran, triggering the War Powers Resolution inherited from the Vietnam War era. Under this legislation, the president must either withdraw US forces or seek congressional authorization to continue fighting. Despite no sign of withdrawal, there is active debate over whether the ceasefire legally pauses the 60-day clock — a position the White House appears to be floating but which legal commentators on the broadcast dispute.
Military preparations for a potential resumption of hostilities are well underway. US Central Command has requested the deployment of hypersonic missiles to the Middle East — which, if used, would mark their first deployment in active combat. The Pentagon estimates the war has already cost approximately $25 billion. Thousands of tons of munitions have arrived in Israel, and US fuel tankers are staged at Israeli airports. Two US carrier strike groups remain in the region.
From Jerusalem, correspondent Yulan Nell reports that Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz has warned Israel may soon be required to act again against what he called existential threats from Iran. Israeli media reports the country is on heightened alert. Options reportedly being weighed include renewed strikes on Iran's energy and government infrastructure, special operations targeting enriched uranium stockpiles, and possibly seizing control of part of the Strait of Hormuz to ease commercial shipping. Iran has signaled it will mount a major response if strikes resume, and has used the ceasefire period to rearm and reposition assets.
New York Times national security correspondent Eric Schmidt provides insight into the White House deliberations. He reports that Trump is personally very reluctant to restart the war, concerned that Iran still possesses thousands of missiles and drones capable of striking regional energy infrastructure and driving up oil prices. Trump is said to be leaning toward extending a naval blockade, though advisors warn this could take weeks or months to yield results. Within the cabinet, Vice President JD Vance — who led ceasefire negotiations — is reportedly opposed to resuming hostilities, while figures like Senator Lindsey Graham and retired General Jack Keane are urging Trump to authorize two more weeks of concentrated strikes, arguing this would bring the Iranian regime to the bargaining table.
Key Insights
- The White House is arguing that the 60-day War Powers Act clock pauses or stops during a ceasefire, a legal interpretation that a commentator in the broadcast explicitly disputes, saying the statute does not support that reading.
- Eric Schmidt reports that Trump is personally very reluctant to restart the war, fearing Iran still has thousands of missiles and drones that could retaliate against regional energy infrastructure and send oil prices higher.
- US Central Command has requested hypersonic missiles be deployed to the Middle East, which — if used against Iran — would mark the first time hypersonic weapons have been used in active hostilities.
- Military options presented to Trump reportedly include special operations forces targeting Iran's enriched uranium stockpiles and potentially seizing part of the Strait of Hormuz to ease commercial shipping.
- Senator Lindsey Graham and retired General Jack Keane are urging Trump that just two more weeks of concerted strikes on Iran's infrastructure and military targets would bring the regime to the bargaining table.
Topics
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