US Senate votes to halt Iran war, rebuking Trump

The US Senate has joined the House in voting to halt military action against Iran, delivering a significant rebuke to President Donald Trump. The 50-48 vote on the war powers resolution marks the first time both chambers of Congress have passed such a measure since 1973, signaling growing unease even among some Republicans about the conflict.

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The US Senate has backed legislation directing President Donald Trump to halt US military action against Iran, the latest rebuke of the Republican president from an increasingly restive Congress.

While the resolution is largely symbolic and its legal effect remains uncertain due to constitutional questions surrounding the War Powers Act, the vote represents a setback for Trump. He has faced increasing dissent from his own party ahead of midterm elections, with a few Republicans breaking ranks on key issues. This dissent comes as the administration is expected to seek substantial funding for the war.

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It was the first time both chambers of Congress had passed a resolution directing a president to remove US armed forces from hostilities since the War Powers Resolution, more commonly known as the War Powers Act, was enacted in 1973.

The Senate vote followed a Reuters/Ipsos poll indicating that only one in four Americans view the war with Iran as worthwhile, with a majority doubting the longevity of any potential truce. The White House dismissed the Senate's action, calling it insignificant and lacking legal force, attributing the passage to the absence of two Republican senators.

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While likely to remain largely symbolic, the vote was a setback for Mr Trump, who until recently had enjoyed near-unanimous support from Republican members of Congress.