Can US Congress Stop Trump From Continuing Iran War? This Law Could Force Him To Halt

Last Updated:April 25, 2026, 18:20 IST

Under the law, the president is required to notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops into hostilities, detailing purpose, scope, and expected duration of the operation.

A decades-old US law has come back into focus as the conflict in Iran continues without formal approval from Congress. The War Powers Resolution, introduced after the Vietnam War, sets limits on how long a president can deploy US forces without the consent of lawmakers. It is now under scrutiny because the ongoing military action ordered by Donald Trump has either reached or is nearing the law’s key deadline.

Under this law, the president must inform Congress within 48 hours of sending troops into hostilities, outlining the purpose, scope and expected duration of the action. After that, Congress has 60 days to approve the operation. If approval is not granted, the law requires the president to end military involvement. In the current case, the exact deadline remains under debate, with estimates ranging from late April to May 1.

This is why the law has drawn renewed attention. The US action in Iran did not receive prior approval from Congress, raising questions about whether it can legally continue beyond the 60-day limit. The scale of the conflict has also added to the concern, with analysts noting that it is larger than many previous situations where the law was tested.

There is also disagreement over how the timeline should be calculated. Some lawmakers argue that the 60-day clock began when hostilities started, while others believe it began when Congress was formally notified. The presence of a ceasefire has further complicated matters, with some suggesting it could pause or reset the timeline.

The law allows for a possible 30-day extension if the president states that additional time is needed to ensure the safe withdrawal of troops. However, Trump has indicated that he does not want to rush decisions related to ending the conflict.

Despite its clear framework, the War Powers Resolution has rarely been enforced in practice. Several presidents have questioned its constitutionality, and courts have largely avoided ruling on the matter. Over the years, administrations have found different ways to continue military operations beyond the 60-day limit.

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For instance, Ronald Reagan reached an agreement with Congress to extend troop deployment in Lebanon. Barack Obama argued that US involvement in Libya did not qualify as “hostilities" under the law. Bill Clinton maintained that Congress had effectively approved military action in Kosovo by funding it.

As the deadline approaches, some lawmakers are urging Congress to intervene and hold a vote. However, political divisions have made it difficult to reach a consensus.

For many in Washington, the situation has once again highlighted the ongoing tension between presidential authority and congressional oversight, bringing renewed attention to a law that is often debated but rarely enforced.

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