President Donald Trump formally told Congress that U.S. military action against Iran resumed July 7, reigniting a fight over whether the administration may claim a new 60-day period under the War Powers Resolution.
In a July 10 letter addressed to U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), the Senate’s president pro tempore, Trump said he ordered what he called defensive strikes after Iran attacked several neutral-flagged commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on July 6 and July 7.
Trump’s July 10 letter says military action commenced July 7, creating a date gap that appears to exceed the War Powers Resolution’s 48-hour reporting period. The public copy does not state when Congress received the notification or explain the timing.
Trump said the attacks violated a June 17, 2026, memorandum of understanding calling for Iran to use its best efforts to arrange safe commercial passage between the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.
Trump reports renewed military action
Trump said U.S. forces targeted missile launch sites, air defenses, maritime assets, military support infrastructure, and command-and-control capabilities.
“United States ground forces are not involved in these strikes. These strikes are limited, measured, planned, and executed in a manner designed to minimize civilian casualties,” Trump wrote.
The president said he ordered the operations to protect U.S. personnel and interests, help secure commercial shipping, and defend regional allies and partners. He added that American forces remain positioned to take further action.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Trump declared the ceasefire over last week and ordered renewed strikes against Iranian targets. Trump submitted his initial War Powers notification to Congress on March 2, two days after Operation Epic Fury began.
War Powers clock remains disputed
The War Powers Resolution generally requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours after introducing U.S. forces into hostilities without a declaration of war. The law directs the president to terminate that use of force within 60 days after a qualifying report is submitted or required, whichever occurs first, unless Congress declares war, specifically authorizes the operation, extends the period by law or cannot meet because of an armed attack on the United States. The law permits up to 30 additional days only if the president certifies in writing that unavoidable military necessity involving the safety of U.S. forces requires continued operations while carrying out a prompt withdrawal.
Trump’s July 10 letter does not expressly state that a new 60-day period began. Trump told Congress in a May 1 notification that the hostilities beginning February 28 had “terminated,” which the administration argued stopped the original clock. U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and other critics contend U.S. military operations continued during the ceasefire and that the statutory clock never stopped.
Schiff filed a new War Powers resolution Monday challenging any attempt to restart the timeline.
“Any assertion by the Trump administration that he gets 60 more days to act without Congress has no foundation in law,” Schiff said.
Both chambers previously approved a bipartisan concurrent resolution directing Trump to remove U.S. forces from hostilities with Iran. The House passed H.Con.Res. 86 by a 215-208 vote on June 3, and the Senate approved it 50-48 on June 23. Because it was a concurrent resolution, it was not presented to Trump for signature and did not become law. The administration has argued that such measures cannot legally compel presidential action and amount to unconstitutional legislative vetoes. Senate rules grant Schiff’s new resolution privileged status, allowing him to seek a floor vote as soon as next week.
Blockade resumes as strikes continue
U.S. Central Command restarted the blockade of Iranian ports at 4 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday. The command said its forces will enforce the blockade against vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas while supporting other regional maritime traffic.
CENTCOM said the previous blockade ran from April 13 through June 18, 2026. During that period, U.S. forces redirected more than 140 vessels that complied with orders, disabled nine that did not comply, and allowed more than 50 commercial vessels supporting humanitarian aid to pass.
A U.S. official told CBS News that Tuesday’s limited strikes marked the fourth consecutive night of attacks. CENTCOM said U.S. forces launched the strikes to degrade Iranian capabilities that support attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Separately, Trump withdrew his plan to impose a 20% fee on cargo moving through the Strait of Hormuz, saying Gulf leaders had instead proposed trade and investment agreements with the United States. The president did not identify specific commitments.
Provided by Dallas Express
