WASHINGTON/TEHRAN (dpa-AFX) – Shortly before the expiry of an important deadline for legitimizing the US military operation against Iran, the White House is, according to sources, reinterpreting the offensive. “In accordance with the War Powers Resolution, the fighting that began on Saturday, February 28th has ended,” a high-ranking government official told the German Press Agency. According to its own statements, the White House would not be bound by a legal 60-day period during which the USA can wage war without congressional approval – and President Donald Trump would not have to obtain parliamentary consent.
The White House further stated that Washington and Tehran agreed on a two-week ceasefire on April 7th and that this had been extended. “There has been no exchange of fire between U.S. forces and Iran since Tuesday, April 7,” it said.
The background is the War Powers Resolution law from 1973, which limits military operations to a maximum of 60 days without congressional approval. If a president also wants to command combat operations by the US military, the formal consent of Parliament is required. This is intended to prevent the USA from being drawn into lengthy, illegitimate operations.
At the end of the 60 days, Trump would theoretically be forced to withdraw US troops gradually. This would also apply to the naval forces and ships that are currently maintaining the US blockade of Iranian ports despite the ceasefire. However, there are some loopholes so that Trump could continue the war even after the deadline has passed. Previous presidents such as Bill Clinton and Barack Obama had also bypassed Parliament.
Hegseth had already argued similarly
On Thursday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the government could continue the war against Iran for weeks without congressional approval. “We are currently in a ceasefire, which as we understand it means that the 60-day period (…) pauses or stops,” he told a Senate committee.
Washington is looking for new diplomatic approaches
Meanwhile, according to sources, the US government is trying a new approach amid stalled talks between Washington and Tehran. A new coordination body should “facilitate cooperation between the United States and our allies in the Strait of Hormuz,” a senior government official told the German Press Agency.
The US State Department said measures would be taken “to ensure safe passage.” This included “the provision of real-time information, safety instructions and coordination measures”.
Specifically, according to information from the White House, the “Maritime Freedom Construct” is intended to enable the exchange of information between the as yet unnamed allies and “coordinate diplomatic and economic measures” in order to sanction Iran in the event of a further blockade of the strait. It was initially unclear which countries exactly should take part and whether Germany was asked. Meanwhile, the US military should maintain the naval blockade of ships entering or leaving Iranian ports.
Strait of Hormuz remains a point of contention
According to a British Navy report, fewer than ten ships currently pass through the Strait of Hormuz every day. More ships leave the Persian Gulf than the other way around. Before the key strait was blocked by Iran as a result of the war, about 130 ships passed through daily, it said.
The British Navy operates an international sea rescue hotline and has documented 41 dangerous incidents in the strait since the outbreak of war. The head of the authority, Commander Jo Black, is particularly concerned about the seafarers who are stuck on up to 870 ships in the Gulf: “There are no crew changes. The seafarers are not returning home, food and supplies are arriving but are in short supply, and long-term effects on mental health are also to be feared.”
Iran’s parliament speaker and key negotiator Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf made fun of the US naval blockade on Thursday: Iran has long national borders. An Iranian trade association said 40 percent of the country’s trade could shift to land routes. The claim was not substantiated or specified in more detail. However, the enormous oil business takes place by ship – transferring it to land routes can hardly accommodate similar volumes./ngu/DP/stw
