Trump Administration Says War in Iran Has Been ‘Terminated’ Before 60-Day Congressional Deadline

The Trump administration is making a bold claim about the conflict with Iran—and it’s already setting off alarm bells in Washington.

According to officials, the White House believes the war is essentially over thanks to a ceasefire that kicked in back in early April. That interpretation could have a major impact: it would allow President Donald Trump to sidestep the need to get formal approval from Congress for extended military action.

The argument gained traction after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told senators that the ceasefire effectively put the conflict on hold. Under that logic, the administration says the clock tied to the War Powers Resolution has stopped ticking—meaning they haven’t yet hit the legal deadline that would force them to seek congressional authorization.

Behind the scenes, a senior official doubled down on that stance, saying the “hostilities” that began in late February have now ended. The U.S. and Iran haven’t exchanged fire since the ceasefire began on April 7, they argued—even though tensions remain high.

And that’s where things get complicated.

Despite the pause in fighting, Iran still controls the vital Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil routes. Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy continues to enforce a blockade aimed at stopping Iranian oil shipments from reaching global markets.

Critics say calling the war “over” is a stretch.

Under the War Powers Resolution, the president had a firm deadline to either get Congress on board or pull back military operations. While the law allows for a short extension, lawmakers from both parties have been pushing for a clear vote.

Sen. Susan Collins didn’t mince words, warning that the deadline “is not a suggestion.” She and others argue that any continued military action needs a clear mission, defined goals, and a real exit strategy.

Outside experts are also raising eyebrows. Some legal analysts say the administration’s argument—that a ceasefire pauses the legal clock—is something they’ve never seen before.

“It’s a very novel argument,” said Sen. Tim Kaine, who questioned the defense secretary during a tense Senate hearing.

Others went even further. Legal expert Katherine Yon Ebright said there’s nothing in the law that supports the idea of stopping or resetting the timeline. In her view, the administration may be stretching legal boundaries to avoid a political fight in Congress.

Still, some former officials are offering a workaround. Richard Goldberg, who served in Trump’s first term, suggested rebranding the mission entirely—possibly as a new operation focused on “self-defense” and reopening key shipping routes.

But whether that idea gains traction—or sparks even more controversy—remains to be seen.