President Trump has officially told Congress in a letter that “hostilities” in Iran, which began with US strikes on 28 February, have “ceased” after a ceasefire was declared, several US media outlets reported.
“On 7 April 2026, I ordered a two-week ceasefire. The ceasefire has since been extended. There have been no exchanges of fire between US forces and Iran since 7 April 2026. Military activities that began on 28 February 2026 have ceased,” the letter reads.
In it, Trump also notes that the threat posed by Iran to the United States “remains significant” and the U.S. Department of Defence continues to “update its presence in the area of responsibility [area of responsibility] in selected countries, as necessary and appropriate, to respond to threats from Iran and Iranian proxy forces and to protect the United States, its allies and partners.”
While officials have given different timelines as to when the 60-day deadline set by the War Powers Act will actually occur, Friday marks 60 days since Trump formally notified lawmakers of military action with Iran on March 2.
When asked why he has not sought congressional approval to continue the war, Trump told reporters at the White House that approval has “never been sought before,” despite former presidents having previously sought approval, notes US publication The Hill.
The War Powers Act, approved in 1973 after the Vietnam War, aims to limit the president’s ability to conduct and continue military action without congressional approval.
The Hill suggests that by using the ceasefire to circumvent the 60-day deadline, the White House seems intent on not seeking congressional authorisation, at least for now.