Pentagon Halts Iran War Deadline Amid Ceasefire Hopes

Pentagon Cites Ceasefire to Pause Iran War Deadline U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on Thursday that the 60-day congressional approval deadline for military action against Iran has been paused due to an ongoing ceasefire. This declaration came during Hegseth's testimony before the Senate, addressing the legal requirements under the War Powers Resolution. The 60-day period, which began on March 2 following President Trump's notification to Congress of strikes against Iran, was set to expire on Friday, May 1.

The War Powers Resolution mandates that a president must terminate the use of U.S. Armed Forces within 60 days of notification unless Congress authorizes continuation. Hegseth argued that the current ceasefire, in effect since early April with no exchange of fire since April 7, effectively halts this statutory clock. A senior administration official corroborated this, stating that hostilities initiated on February 28 have terminated, and the initial two-week ceasefire has been extended.

Democratic Senator Tim Kaine challenged this interpretation, asserting that the statute does not support pausing the clock and that the deadline remains active. The conflict, which began with U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequent Iranian retaliation, has also led to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Administration officials are reportedly in discussions with Congress regarding potential authorization for the military actions, which have cost the U.S. approximately $25 billion.