Trump says deadline for Congress to approve Iran war doesn't apply, claiming hostilities have 'terminated'

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House asserted to Congress in a letter Friday that hostilities with Iran have "terminated" despite the continued presence of U.S. armed forces in the region. The message from President Donald Trump effectively skirts a May 1 legal deadline to gain approval from members of Congress to continue the war with Iran. That deadline was already set to pass without action from Republican lawmakers who are deferring to the president. READ MORE: 4 takeaways from Hegseth's hearings on historic defense budget request, Iran war The letter brings into stark relief the bold but legally questionable assertion of presidential power at the heart of Trump's war, which he began without congressional approval two months ago. "The hostilities that began on February 28, 2026, have terminated," Trump wrote House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, the Senate president pro tempore. Yet he also made it clear in the letter that the war may be far from over. READ MORE: Trump 'not satisfied' with Iran's proposal to end the war "Despite the success of United States operations against the Iranian regime and continued efforts to secure a lasting peace, the threat posed by Iran to the