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The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, billed by the Trump administration as a “military operation,” has now evolved into a sustained confrontation with no clear exit strategy, no authorization from Congress, and no public transparency. The United States finds itself at a precarious juncture in a conflict of its own choosing. While high-level representatives from both countries met last month in Pakistan for ceasefire-linked negotiations, diplomatic efforts have not resulted in slowing a conflict that has increased regional instability.

The war remains unpopular both domestically and among U.S. allies, even as the Trump administration continues to try to rationalize entering a war of aggression. Reporting and political pressure have begun to focus on how and when this war will end, but the matter of whether the constitutional framework governing war will be meaningfully upheld is still a fundamental question that needs to be addressed.

At the heart of this debate remains the War Powers Resolution of 1973, passed in the immediate aftermath of the Vietnam War. The statute requires the president to notify Congress before initiating military action or deploying troops in response to “imminent” threats. The War Powers Resolution requires the withdrawal of the troops within 60 to 90 days unless Congress authorizes the action. None of these requirements have been honored or followed under the Trump administration.

Donald Trump launched the U.S.-Israel war of choice in late February and formally notified Congress, beginning a countdown to receive authorization for use of military force. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently told Congress that the ceasefire with Iran does not count toward the 60-day requirement under the War Powers Resolution. He argued that the clock can be reset or paused depending on the status of hostilities. The conflict has now surpassed the 60-day threshold, yet the Trump administration has not demonstrated any concrete plans to seek approval from Congress. In fact, the administration has doubled down in defending its war crimes by arguing that the War Powers Resolution is itself unconstitutional and has not been followed by any previous administrations. During a recent White House briefing, Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed that position, stating that the administration was only complying with certain elements of the law to remain in good standing with Congress.

Despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations, both Washington and Tehran remain divided on conditions of ending the war. Iran has demanded the U.S. and Israel immediately end hostilities on its soil while lifting sanctions, releasing frozen assets, and recognizing Iran’s right to enrich uranium and new security arrangements for the Strait of Hormuz. The country has also called for removal of U.S. military pressure around Iran, and demanded that Israel stop attacking Lebanon. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has insisted that Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz before any broader settlement can proceed. The de facto blockade of the Strait, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil and gas exports pass, was instituted following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, intensifying fears of global economic instability.

This Isn’t Just Trump’s........

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