The administration of Donald Trump said on Friday that its war with Iran had been “terminated,” citing a ceasefire that has halted active hostilities since early April.
A senior US official stated that the pause in fighting effectively ended the conflict, allowing the administration to avoid seeking congressional authorization under American war powers law.
The conflict began on February 28 with joint US-Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian military and government facilities, triggering retaliatory attacks from Iran and escalating into a wider regional confrontation.
The White House maintains that the ceasefire, which took effect in early April, ended active combat operations and therefore paused the legal requirement to obtain approval from Congress.
However, this interpretation has been strongly contested by opposition lawmakers, who argue that there is no provision in law to “pause” the war powers clock and that the administration remains bound to seek authorization or formally end military involvement.
Despite the claim that the war has ended, military and strategic tensions continue. The United States has maintained a naval presence and enforcement actions around the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran has continued to exert control over key energy routes, keeping global markets on edge.
The ceasefire itself followed weeks of intense fighting that resulted in thousands of casualties and widespread displacement across the region.
The situation remains complex, with indirect hostilities continuing through regional fronts, including Israeli military actions in Lebanon and ongoing tensions with Iran-backed groups.
In Washington, political divisions have deepened. A resolution aimed at forcing the administration to halt military action failed in the Senate, reflecting sharp partisan differences over the legality and conduct of the war.
While the administration insists that the conflict has effectively ended, analysts note that the absence of active fighting does not necessarily signal a durable peace, with diplomatic negotiations ongoing and underlying disputes unresolved.
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