Trump tells lawmakers war against Iran has 'terminated' as 60-day deadline arrives
Washington, May 2
US President Donald Trump told lawmakers that the war against Iran has "terminated," as the military action -- which was launched without Congressional approval -- has reached a 60-day legal deadline.
"There has been no exchange of fire between the United States and Iran since April 7, 2026," Trump was quoted by Politico as saying in a letter to congressional leaders.
"The hostilities that began on February 28, 2026, have terminated," Trump said.
According to the report, the latest move is an effort to quelch the fight over the need for Congress to approve the conflict, Xinhua reported.
Under the War Powers Resolution adopted in 1973, the president -- after notifying Congress of the use of military force -- must terminate the action within 60 days, unless Congress authorizes continued military action.
The United States and Israel launched major combat operations against Iran on February 28. The Trump administration formally notified Congress on March 2 of the military action, meaning the 60-day legal deadline would expire on May 1.
Meanwhile, Trump on Friday said that negotiations with the Iranians remain uncertain, warning he is "not satisfied" with current proposals while keeping both diplomacy and military action on the table.
"They want to make a deal, but I'm not satisfied with it, so we'll see what happens," Trump told reporters before departing on Marine One.
He described Iran's leadership as fragmented and unable to reach a consensus. "They all want to make a deal, but they're all messed up," he said, adding the leadership was "very disjointed" and marked by internal divisions.
Trump argued that internal discord was weakening Tehran's negotiating position. He said leaders "are not getting along with each other" and "don't know who the leader is", complicating talks.
He also claimed Iran's military had been significantly degraded. According to Trump, the country has "no navy", "no air force", and limited defence capability following the recent conflict.
Despite the sharp rhetoric, Trump said he preferred a diplomatic solution. "Do we want to go and just blast the hell out of him and finish him forever, or do we want to try and make a deal?" he said. "I'd prefer not, on a human basis."
At the same time, he made clear that military action remained an option if talks fail. "Those are the options," Trump said, outlining a choice between escalation and negotiation.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Interesting how Trump says Iran has 'no navy, no air force' yet still couldn't finish the job in 60 days. This reminds me of our own border issues - military action alone never solves deep geopolitical problems. Glad India stayed out of this mess.
Typical American approach - bomb first, ask questions later, then call it 'terminated' when the deadline comes. For India, this is a lesson: always prioritize diplomacy, especially with nuclear-armed neighbors. We should strengthen our ties with Iran for energy security.
The real question for India: how does this affect Chabahar port and our access to Central Asia? Trump's 'deal or blast' rhetoric is worrying. We need to be prepared whether the US goes for escalation or negotiation. Dhanyavad! 🇮🇳
As an Indian watching this, I find Trump's 'human basis' comment ironic after bombing a country for 60 days. The US needs to respect international law and Congress. India's own policy of non-alignment and strategic autonomy looks wiser than ever.
This 'terminated' declaration seems more about legal technicalities than actual peace. For India, the instability in West Asia directly impacts our energy prices and our diaspora in Gulf countries. Hope our government has contingency plans ready. 🤔
M < We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.