US Senate approves resolution limiting Trump's military action in Iran

Washington: The US Senate on Tuesday passed a war powers resolution aimed at preventing President Donald Trump from initiating further military operations against Iran without explicit congressional authorization.

The measure cleared the Senate by 50-48, with four Republicans joining most Democrats in support and one Democrat voting against, Xinhua reported. It is the first time since the outbreak of the conflict in February that a war-powers limitation has passed both chambers of Congress, reflecting growing bipartisan concern over the administration’s handling of the war.

According to the bill summary on Congress.gov, the resolution “directs the President to remove US Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Iran unless a declaration of war or authorization to use military force for such purpose has been enacted.” Supporters said the action reasserts Congress’s constitutional role in deciding whether to initiate hostilities, calling recent US involvement an unauthorized “war of choice.”

Some US outlets described the vote as largely symbolic, noting the administration’s position that US forces are not currently engaged in hostilities with Iran. CBS News said the measure may have limited immediate effect, while NBC highlighted that it comes as preliminary talks between Washington and Tehran seek a diplomatic end to the conflict.

Democrats countered that the resolution remains important even amid tentative stability. “if we're really in a period of maybe some stability here, let's not just allow it to start up again without Congress being involved in that decision,” Senator Tim Kaine told reporters, according to CNN.

(Inputs from IANS)