US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth watches during a press conference at the Pentagon on Tuesday. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth mentioned that since the administration has concluded that the ceasefire with Iran is upheld, President Donald Trump is not required to obtain Congressional approval for the war to proceed.
“Our perspective is … that in the end, with the ceasefire, time halts.” “Should it restart, that would be a decision made by the president,” Hegseth stated at a Pentagon press briefing.
According to the War Powers Act of 1973, the president is allowed 60 days to engage in military operations in response to a looming threat or an assault on the United States, provided that Congress has not approved a declaration of war. The law states that when the deadline is reached, the president “shall end any use of the United States Armed Forces” unless there is explicit congressional authorization.
Numerous legislators consider Friday, May 1, to be the 60-day point following Trump’s notification to Congress regarding the start of hostilities on March 2.
Hegseth asserted today that if Trump decides to order military actions to restart, that discussion will take place.
“That possibility is always present,” Hegseth remarked regarding the chance that combat operations might persist. “Iran understands this, which is why their decisions regarding Project Freedom hold significance.”
“The president has the option and the resources – even greater resources than we had initially – to resume significant combat operations if needed.” Should Iran refuse to uphold its part of the agreement or negotiate, the War Department is prepared, set, and primed to act. “We wish it won’t head in that way,” Hegseth stated.
Xenix News report by Morgan Rimmer.
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