The US Senate on Tuesday passed a War Powers Resolution by a vote of 50 to 48, ordering President Donald Trump to end hostilities against Iran unless Congress authorizes further military action.
The measure “H.Con.Res. 86” was adopted pursuant to Section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution of 1973, after being previously approved by the House of Representatives.
Republican senators Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Rand Paul of Kentucky joined Democrats in supporting the resolution.
Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voted against it, while Republican Sens. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania abstained.
The practical effect of this measure remains uncertain, since Washington and Tehran have already reached an interim peace agreement. Still, the nonbinding resolution represents the strongest symbolic resistance to the war from Capitol Hill yet, after nine previous votes failed to secure the simple majority needed for passage in the Senate.
The vote follows weeks of conflict that has disrupted global energy markets and sent fuel prices soaring in the United States.
The Senate vote came less than seven days after President Trump’s administration announced an interim deal had been reached with Iran aimed at halting hostilities while negotiations on a more comprehensive solution continue.
The United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran on February 28, prompting Iranian retaliatory attacks on American targets across the Middle East. The fighting was halted by a ceasefire brokered by Pakistan, which came into effect on 8 April.
Washington and Tel Aviv accuse Tehran of developing nuclear and missile programs that pose a threat to Israel and America’s regional allies. Iran rejects the accusations, insisting that its nuclear activities are purely peaceful in nature and are not aimed at producing nuclear weapons or endangering other states.
On June 17, Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian electronically signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at reaching a lasting peace agreement.
The two sides are currently holding technical talks during a 60-day truce aimed at resolving disputes over Iran’s nuclear program and restoring commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-conflict levels.
