US Senate Limits President Trump’s War Powers Against Iran
The US Senate has passed a resolution stipulating that President Donald Trump cannot authorize new military operations against Iran without prior congressional approval. The resolution was approved by a vote of 50 to 48 and underscores the oversight role of Congress in war decisions.
This resolution was drafted under the framework of the War Powers Act, a law that restricts the United States from engaging in military conflicts without congressional consent. According to this measure, the US government must obtain Congress’s approval before undertaking any new military action against Iran, although the president retains the power to veto such resolutions.
This marks the tenth effort by the US Senate since the outbreak of the so-called “Ramadan War” tensions last March to rein in the president’s war powers. Four Republican senators – Rand Paul, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Bill Cassidy – joined Democrats in voting in favor of the resolution.
In response to the vote, Donald Trump described it on the social media platform Truth Social as “untimely and pointless.” He claimed the move occurred at a time when, according to him, Iran was under significant pressure.
Trump also called the Senate vote “political self-harm” and warned that it could send the wrong message to Tehran. He sharply criticized several of his fellow Republican senators and stressed that he would veto similar measures if finalized.
It should be noted that such resolutions are non-binding and require the president’s signature to take effect after approval by both chambers of Congress. Previously, the US House of Representatives had also passed a similar bill aimed at limiting the president’s war powers regarding Iran.
