President Donald Trump told Congress that U.S. hostilities in Iran "have terminated" and said there has been no exchange of fire between U.S. forces and Iran since April 7, 2026. [1]
The report said Trump imposed a two-week ceasefire on April 7 that was later extended. It also said Congress never authorized military action against Iran. [1]
Trump said he would not seek congressional authorization for force against Iran, arguing such approval had never been sought before and calling the War Powers Resolution unconstitutional. He said, "The hostilities that began on February 28, 2026, have terminated," and, "There has been no exchange of fire between United States Forces and Iran since April 7, 2026." [1]
The clash over the legal basis for the operation sharpened on Capitol Hill. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called Trump’s claim "bulls---" on X and said the war is illegal. [1]
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told the Senate Armed Services Committee he believes the War Powers countdown clock pauses or stops during a ceasefire. Sen. Tim Kaine rejected that view, saying, "I do not believe the statute would support that." [1]
The timeline in Trump’s report runs from Feb. 28, when he said hostilities began, to April 7, when he said he imposed the ceasefire, and to May 1, when he told Congress the fighting had ended as the 60-day War Powers deadline was reached. [1]
Congress now faces the legal fight over whether the clock kept running during the ceasefire and whether the White House needed authorization before using force. [1]