Trump formally notifies Congress of Iran strikes, starting the 60-day War Powers clock

President Trump formally notifies Congress that U.S. forces are engaged in hostilities with Iran, triggering the 60-day clock under the War Powers Resolution. Under the Resolution''s terms, the president must terminate hostilities within 60 days unless Congress authorizes the conflict or declares war. The notification does not request authorization. Members of both parties introduce War Powers resolutions to direct Trump to end military operations, but none receives floor votes in the Republican-controlled Congress. The 60-day deadline falls on May 1, 2026 — the same day Trump sends a letter to Congress declaring hostilities "terminated." Legal scholars debate whether the notification starts the clock under the Resolution''s mandatory provisions.