U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized a recent vote in the House of Representatives aimed at restricting his military powers regarding Iran, with lawmakers questioning his approach to the ongoing conflict.
This political contention arises amidst renewed diplomatic initiatives, including a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon facilitated by the U.S., which Tehran insists must occur before any peace negotiations with Washington can proceed.
Despite indications of progress, violence persists across the region, with fresh confrontations in the Gulf and conflicting reports regarding attacks in Kuwait.
Trump has responded strongly to the House’s decision to formally admonish him over his Iran policy, deeming the action “unpatriotic.” On Wednesday, the House approved a war powers resolution led by Democrats that seeks to prevent any further military engagement with Iran unless Congress provides authorization. The resolution passed with a vote of 215 to 208, with support from four Republicans who sided with the Democrats.
In a social media statement on Thursday, Trump lambasted the vote, saying, “Yesterday, in a meaningless vote, the House voted, 4 bad Republicans and all of the Dumocrats [sic], to limit my War Powers, right in the middle of my final negotiations to end the War with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Who would do such an unpatriotic thing?”
The vote occurred as diplomats were attempting to gather momentum towards a comprehensive resolution to the U.S.-Iran conflict. The newly brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has raised hopes for future progress, although the implementation timeline remains uncertain.
Tehran has made the cessation of hostilities in Lebanon a prerequisite for any peace agreement with the U.S. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun indicated that the ceasefire would take effect within 24 hours, contingent upon approval from all relevant parties, which likely includes Hezbollah, despite the group’s absence from the agreement.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem dismissed the U.S. declaration, asserting that “resistance will continue.” There was no immediate comment from the governments of Israel, Lebanon, or the U.S. regarding Qassem’s statement. Although Hezbollah is not part of the U.S.-facilitated agreement, it would need to cease its attacks for the ceasefire to hold.
On Thursday, Israel continued its airstrikes in southern Lebanon, with Defense Minister Israel Katz stating that Israeli forces would not retreat or cease operations in the region, which had been invaded in March alongside the conflict in Iran.
Esmail Qaani, commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Quds Force, noted that Israel’s return to its pre-war positions would be the minimum acceptable outcome, according to Iranian state media.
Hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel reignited on March 2, following Hezbollah’s assaults in support of Iran amidst U.S.-Israeli aggression. The conflict has persisted despite multiple ceasefires announced by Washington since April.
While diplomats focused on the ceasefire in Lebanon, fighting continued in other areas. Iranian and U.S. forces exchanged fire in the Gulf on Wednesday, marking one of the most intense confrontations since a separate ceasefire halted large-scale U.S.-Israeli bombing of Iran earlier in April.
Iranian forces reportedly targeted Kuwait, causing damage to its airport and injuries to numerous individuals, while the U.S. military conducted strikes near the Strait of Hormuz. This crucial waterway, through which approximately 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies typically transit, remains largely obstructed following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.
On Thursday, oil prices dipped after significant increases the previous day, as investors expressed optimism that the Lebanon ceasefire could pave the way for diplomatic resolutions to the U.S.-Iran conflict. Trump, facing pressure to lower fuel prices, indicated there might be progress in negotiations with Iran soon, suggesting it could occur over the weekend without providing further details.
The attacks on Kuwait have led to conflicting narratives from Washington and Tehran. Kuwaiti officials reported that Wednesday’s strikes damaged airport facilities and diplomatic locations, resulting in one death and over 60 injuries. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed they did not target Kuwait’s airport, attributing the damage to U.S. interceptor missiles that failed to hit their intended targets, according to Iranian state media. Conversely, the U.S. military asserted that Iranian drones deliberately attacked the airport.
Additionally, Iranian media reported that the Revolutionary Guards targeted the U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain and a U.S. airbase. However, U.S. Central Command refuted claims that its bases had been struck, stating that Iranian missiles failed to reach their targets in the region. Central Command mentioned it had conducted defensive strikes in southern Iran aimed at missile launch sites and Iranian vessels attempting to lay mines, including strikes on Qeshm Island near the strait following attempted Iranian assaults.
Despite ongoing hostilities, both Washington and Tehran have shown a willingness to explore a negotiated resolution. Recently, both nations indicated progress toward a tentative agreement to cease hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, although final agreements have yet to be reached, leaving more complex negotiations for a later date.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei remarked that Iran’s adversaries have already been defeated on the battlefield and are now attempting to create internal discord. He emphasized the need for unity, patience, and clarity in confronting these challenges.
