Tensions between US and Iran continue to escalate as the war enters in second month. But amid this, choice of words by US President Donald Trump has drawn attention. On Wednesday, Trump appeared cautious about describing the situation as a “war.”
“I won’t use the word ‘war’ because they say, if you use the word war, that’s maybe not a good thing to do. They don’t like the word ‘war,’ because you’re supposed to get approval, so I’ll use the word ‘military operation,’ which is really what it is,” he said, CBS News reported.
This raises an important question: what kind of approval is he referring to and why does terminology matter so much?
The answer lies in a decades-old US law known as the War Powers Resolution which sets the rules for how and when US presidents can use military forces outside the country.
What Is War Powers Resolution?
Introduced in 1973 after the Vietnam War, the War Powers Resolution puts limits on the president’s power when it comes to taking military operations in the foreign land.
US President serves as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces but the Constitution grants Congress the sole authority to officially declare war under this act.
While this act grants president to initiate military action without prior approval, there are some defined limits. They are required to inform Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops. More importantly, such military engagement cannot continue beyond 60 days unless Congress provides authorisation. There is also an additional 30-day period allowed for the safe withdrawal of troops.
Why This Matters Now?
In the current situation involving US and Iran, Trump authorised military action without a formal declaration of war from Congress, WCNC reported. The administration has defended its actions by citing national security concerns. Trump and most Republicans have argued that the war is legally and constitutionally justified due to an “imminent” threat posed by Iran. He has also called the law as unconstitutional.
Political Pushback And Congressional Debate
Democrats have repeatedly attempted to use the War Powers Resolution to limit Trump’s ability to continue military operations against Iran without congressional backing.
One such effort, led by Chris Murphy, recently failed in the Senate. The vote, which largely followed party lines, fell short of the numbers needed to move forward. Most Republicans opposed the measure while nearly all Democrats supported it.
Has Law Ever Truly Worked?
Congress has never successfully used the War Powers Resolution to force a president to end a military conflict. Even if lawmakers pass a resolution to restrict action, the president can veto it. Overriding that veto requires a two-thirds majority.
While several past presidents, including George W. Bush and Barack Obama, have complied with the requirement to notify Congress, they have also questioned the law’s constitutionality or interpreted it in flexible ways.
What Lies Ahead
While Trump has repeatedly claimed that the conflict could end soon, the situation remains uncertain. The Pentagon has reportedly been preparing to deploy US ground forces into Iran. At the same time, diplomatic signals remain mixed. Trump claims talks with Iran are underway while Tehran has denied any direct negotiations.
Trump has also delayed further strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure by 10 days, saying peace talks are “going very well.”