U.S. House votes to curb Trump's Iran war powers

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a resolution aimed at limiting President Donald Trump's authority to conduct military operations against Iran, increasing political pressure on the administration. The resolution mandates that formal congressional authorization is required for any combat engagement, with exceptions only for the defense of the U.S. or its allies against imminent attacks.

By a vote of 215 to 208, the House approved the measure. Notably, four Republican representatives broke ranks with their party to vote alongside Democrats, contributing to the resolution's success. Although the resolution carries no immediate practical impact on U.S. foreign policy, it underscores a growing dissent within Congress regarding Trump's approach to Iran, particularly with midterm elections approaching in five months.

This vote follows a similar move by the U.S. Senate two weeks prior, which also voted for greater congressional oversight of the war in Iran. The Senate's majority was similarly achieved through the support of four Republicans who diverged from the party's stance.

Despite the current ceasefire and ongoing negotiations for a potential peace agreement, recent days have seen intermittent mutual attacks. The House resolution now proceeds to the Senate for consideration. Even if both chambers pass the measure, President Trump retains the power to veto it. Overriding such a veto would require a two-thirds majority in both houses, a threshold considered highly unlikely.