President Donald Trump told Congress on Friday that hostilities in Iran “have terminated” since he imposed a two-week ceasefire on April 7 that has been extended.
Trump’s claim came on what would have been a deadline under the War Powers Resolution of 1973 for him to ask Congress to officially declare war against Iran or authorize the use of military force against that country.
Friday marks 60 days since the war began, in late February. Under the War Powers Resolution, a president must seek authorization from Congress for military force within 60 days of the start of hostilities.
Congress has not authorized U.S. military action against Iran. Trump’s letters to congressional leaders Friday are a volley aimed at discouraging lawmakers in Congress from restricting military action against Iran.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., in a post to X on Friday called the president’s claim “bulls—.”
“This is an illegal war and every day Republicans remain complicit and allow it to continue is another day lives are endangered, chaos erupts, and prices increase, all while Americans foot the bill,” Schumer wrote.
Trump suggested earlier Friday that the War Powers Resolution is unconstitutional, as he said he would not seek authorization from Congress.
“There has been no exchange of fire between United States Forces and Iran since April 7, 2026,” Trump wrote in separate letters addressed to House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Senate President Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa.
“The hostilities that began on February 28, 2026, have terminated,” Trump wrote.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in testimony on Thursday to the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he believes that the countdown clock “pauses or stops in a ceasefire.”
Sen. Tim Kaine told Hegseth, “I do not believe the statute would support that.”
Trump, when asked Friday at the White House about seeking authorization from Congress for military force against Iran, said he would not “because it’s never been sought before” from other presidents.
“There’s been numerous, many, many times, and nobody’s ever gotten it before. They consider it totally unconstitutional, but we’re always in touch with Congress, but nobody’s ever sought it before,” Trump said.
“Nobody’s ever asked for it before. It’s never been used before. Why should we be different?”
Trump also said he is not satisfied with a new offer from Iran to end its war with the United States and Israel.
“Iran wants to make a deal, but I’m not satisfied with it,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “Iran wants to make a deal because they have no military left.”
Asked why he was unsatisfied with Iran’s latest offer, Trump said, “They’re asking for things that I can’t agree” to.
Earlier Friday before Trump spoke, Pakistani officials in Islamabad who have been involved in mediating peace talks between the U.S. and Iran confirmed to MS NOW that Iran sent them an updated proposal to end the war, which they had sent to American officials.
Trump, speaking at the White House, said Iran has “made strides” in negotiations with the U.S., “but I’m not sure if they ever get there.”
The president said there “is tremendous discord” among the leaders of Iran, which has complicated the peace process.
“They’re having a tremendous problem getting along with each other,” Trump said. “In Iran, the leadership is very disjointed. It’s got two to three groups, maybe four, and it’s a very disjointed leadership.”
“And with that being said, they all want to make a deal, but they’re all messed up,” he said.