▲ U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at a media conference during the NATO summit in Ankara.
As armed clashes between the United States and Iran continue for several days, it has been confirmed that President Donald Trump officially notified Congress last week of the resumption of military action against Iran.
With the conflict between the two nations, which was narrowly contained by a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to end hostilities last month, intensifying again over control of the Strait of Hormuz, concerns are rising that this may lead to a full-scale resumption of war.
U.S. broadcaster CBS and Reuters reported on July 13 (local time) that President Trump sent an official letter to Congress stating that military action against Iran resumed on July 7.
In the letter sent to Senate President pro tempore Chuck Grassley on July 10, President Trump explained that the U.S. launched the attacks after Iran violated an agreement to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz by attacking three vessels early last week.
He stated that the targets of the attacks included Iranian missile bases, air defense systems, and naval assets, and that no ground troops were deployed.
Trump added that the U.S. has "made efforts to seek a diplomatic solution despite Iran's malicious actions," and that it is "prepared to take additional actions, if necessary, to ensure that the U.S. and its allies are not threatened."
Under the War Powers Resolution enacted in 1973, the U.S. president is required to notify Congress within 48 hours of initiating military action.
Without congressional approval, the duration of military action is limited to 60 days, with a potential 30-day extension allowed if necessary for the safe withdrawal of U.S. forces.
For this reason, when President Trump began airstrikes on Iran on February 28, he notified Congress of the action. After failing to receive congressional approval, he later claimed in April that hostilities had ended within the time limit, citing a two-week ceasefire agreement reached with Iran.
In this latest letter, President Trump also emphasized that he has consistently kept Congress informed about changes in the posture of U.S. forces in the Middle East during military actions, including those on June 9 and June 26.
However, CBS noted that it remains unclear how Congress will respond to the notification of resumed airstrikes, given that both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives passed resolutions last month aimed at restricting President Trump's use of force against Iran.
There is growing criticism from the Democratic Party that the Trump administration is abusing ceasefire agreements and other tactics to circumvent the War Powers Resolution, which prevents the administration from continuing military action for more than 60 days without congressional approval. Some members of the Republican Party share this view.
Republican Representative Thomas Massie, who voted in favor of the resolution to limit President Trump's war powers, pointed out that the Trump administration is not complying with the 60-day limit specified in the War Powers Resolution and argued that the war with Iran "has never stopped."
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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