Military action against Iran officially resumed last week, Trump told lawmakers
President Trump officially notified Congress that “military action” against Iran has resumed last week, according to a letter obtained by CBS News on Monday, as an agency. the end of every month ends.
The military offensive “began on July 7,” the president said in a message dated July 10 and addressed to Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the Senate president pro tempore.
The letter was sent after Mr. Trump announced the end of the US-Iran war and ordered several rounds of strikes on Iranian targets, in response to the Iranian attack on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz last week. Iranian authorities have insisted that ships seek permission and use an Iranian-approved route before passing through the strait, and have responded to US strikes by firing missiles and drones at US-allied Gulf states.
The notice to Congress called the recent strikes “limited, measured, planned, and carried out in a manner designed to minimize casualties.” Goal, Mr. Trump wrote, pointing to Iranian military sites that pose a threat to US forces and commercial shipping.
Under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, a post-Vietnam War law, the president must notify Congress within 48 hours of the start of military action. Shortly after the US-Iran war started in late February, the White House sent a notification to Congress, but Trump's position was that the hostilities were “over” after the two sides signed a ceasefire in early April.
In last week's letter to lawmakers, Mr. Trump wrote that the US has made “honest, beneficial efforts to find a solution to Iran's misbehavior,” which led the two countries to strike. memorandum of understanding last month. But he said Iran's attack on three oil tankers earlier last week violated a provision of the accord that requires Iran to plan safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, leading to US strikes.
“The United States Armed Forces remain prepared to take additional measures, as necessary and appropriate, to address other threats and attacks against the United States or its allies and partners and to ensure that the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran ceases to be a threat to the United States and our allies and partners,” the letter said.
The War Powers Resolution limits military hostilities to 60 days unless Congress votes to authorize troops. Trump officials say the provision is unconstitutional, but it has never been tested in court, and some members of both parties say Mr. Trump must ask Congress for permission if the war lasts longer than 60 days.
Both the House and the Senate passed the resolution last month wanting to limit the ability of Mr. Trump to take further military action against Iran without congressional approval. The Democrats said they are considering their legal decisions to force Mr. Trump to do this. The president stated that he is acting under his authority according to the constitution.
