CNN and Al Jazeera reported that the conflict will reach its 60th day on May 1, counted from when Trump formally notified the start of the war. Under the 1973 War Powers Act, a president must obtain congressional approval to continue military operations beyond 60 days.
How Congress responds is expected to be pivotal. Analysts have also pointed to past cases — including the Clinton administration’s Kosovo air campaign and the Obama administration’s Libya strikes — in which administrations continued operations without approval by narrowly interpreting what qualifies as “hostilities.”
So far, Congress has shown little momentum. Republicans, who hold narrow control of both chambers, have repeatedly blocked resolutions aimed at limiting Trump’s military authority, and open opposition to the war has remained limited.
Political risks are growing ahead of November’s midterm elections, with concerns that the war and its economic costs could hurt Republicans. U.S. public opinion has also soured. In a Reuters-Ipsos poll, 26% said the operation was worth its cost, and 25% said it made the United States safer.
Some observers say a Republican-led Congress may avoid forcing the issue and allow the war to drag on. Henry Olsen, a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, told Al Jazeera, “They (Republican lawmakers) will want to avoid this vote by any means possible.”
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly rejected that criticism, telling Military.com that Trump had briefed Congress transparently even before “Operation Epic Fury” began and that administration officials have provided more than 30 bipartisan briefings for lawmakers.
Trump’s next steps remain unclear. Reuters, citing U.S. government officials, reported that intelligence agencies are analyzing how Iran might respond if Trump unilaterally declares victory after about two months of war. The report said the work is meant to gauge the fallout if Trump pulls back, as some officials and advisers worry the conflict could lead to a major Republican defeat in the midterms.
No specific decision has been announced, but Trump could still resume or expand military operations if he deems it necessary. A rapid easing of tensions could reduce political pressure, while critics warn it could allow Iran to rebuild nuclear and missile capabilities and expand regional influence.
Maintaining a maritime blockade is also being discussed as a pressure tool. The Wall Street Journal, citing sources, reported that Trump has instructed aides to prepare to extend the blockade, describing it as a lower-risk option than restarting airstrikes or declaring an early end to the war.
The prolonged conflict is also battering Iran’s economy. The U.N. Development Programme projected that up to 4.1 million more people could fall into poverty. Hadi Kahalzadeh of the Quincy Institute said “50% of all jobs in Iran are at risk,” and that an additional 5% of the population could fall into poverty.
Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social that Iran had just told the United States it was in a “State of Collapse,” adding that Iran wanted the Strait of Hormuz opened “as soon as possible” as it tried to resolve leadership issues.
As U.S.-Iran talks on ending the war struggle to gain traction, CNN reported that Pakistani mediators expect to receive Iran’s revised negotiating proposal within days.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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