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President Donald Trump has formally alerted Congress that he has restarted the U.S. war on Iran, potentially allowing his administration to argue that the War Powers deadline has been reset.

Despite the implementation of peace deals, the U.S. war on Iran never actually ended, with blockades and hostile attacks from both sides persisting even during purported truces. But the administration may use its latest formal declaration to argue that a new war on Iran has begun, citing a temporary peace arrangement that began in April and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in June.

In a letter dated July 10, Trump told lawmakers on Capitol Hill that he began strikes anew on July 7, describing the military action as “consistent with my responsibility to protect Americans and United States’ interests both at home and abroad.”

The letter was sent to Congress shortly after Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social this month that the MOU was “over” and subsequently ordered a resumption of military strikes against dozens of Iranian targets.

Under the War Powers Act of 1973, presidents who launch wars without a formal declaration of war by Congress must inform lawmakers within 48 hours of hostilities starting. They must........

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