Al-Monitor: Trump notifies Congress of renewed Iran military campaign

US President Donald Trump has formally notified Congress that hostilities against Iran resumed on July 7, a move his administration argues resets the 60-day period during which the president can conduct military operations without explicit congressional authorization under the War Powers Act, Al-Monitor reports.

In a letter dated July 10, Trump said the renewed military action was undertaken to protect US national interests.

"I directed this military action consistent with my responsibility to protect Americans and United States' national security and foreign policy interests," Trump wrote.

The letter outlines the administration's handling of the conflict, including Trump's order for a two-week ceasefire on April 7, which was later extended, and subsequent diplomatic efforts aimed at reaching a negotiated settlement.

According to the letter, the United States resumed military operations after concluding that Iran had violated the June 17 memorandum of understanding by attacking commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said the alleged attacks prompted him to authorize renewed strikes against the Islamic Republic.

As the conflict escalated, Trump announced that the United States was reinstating its blockade of Iranian shipping in the Gulf while pledging to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to international navigation.

Under the US Constitution, only Congress has the authority to declare war. However, successive US presidents have maintained that they may order limited military operations without prior congressional approval to safeguard national security.

The War Powers Act requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of initiating hostilities and mandates that military operations conducted without congressional authorization must end within 60 days unless lawmakers approve an extension.

The administration argues that the previous 60-day deadline no longer applies because hostilities had effectively ended following the ceasefire, despite continued attacks and the ongoing US blockade of Iranian ports. 

That interpretation has drawn criticism from both Democratic lawmakers and some Republicans opposed to the continued military campaign.

"The president can't just wish away months of war he said would last only four to six weeks," a senior Democratic aide in the House of Representatives said on condition of anonymity.

Last month, both the Senate and the House of Representatives approved a resolution directing Trump to withdraw US forces from hostilities with Iran, despite Republicans holding narrow majorities in both chambers. The votes reflected growing concern in Congress over the prolonged conflict.

Trump sharply criticized lawmakers who backed the measure, accusing them of providing "comfort" to Iran and making his job "more difficult."

By Vafa Guliyeva