Iran president signals willingness to end war as Pakistan and China coordinate peace mediation

A formal or informal agreement between warring parties to stop fighting, typically to allow negotiations, humanitarian access, or de-escalation.

The Constitution divides authority over military force between Congress (which declares war and funds troops) and the president (who commands forces as commander in chief).

Presidents use international agreements like executive agreements as alternatives to treaties to commit the U.S. to courses of action without Senate ratification.

U.S. penalties that make it illegal for most countries to buy Iranian crude oil.

A 1973 statute requiring the President to notify Congress of troop deployments and limiting combat operations to 60 days without congressional authorization.

A negotiation format in which a third-party mediator shuttles between two parties who refuse to meet face-to-face.

Four international treaties that set the rules of war, including how soldiers, civilians, and prisoners of war must be treated.

Third-party countries facilitating negotiations between adversaries

The difference between a presidential deal with a foreign country that requires Senate approval (treaty) and one that doesn't (executive agreement).

A combatant captured by an enemy during armed conflict, entitled to specific legal protections under the Geneva Conventions.