Trump sends Congress formal notice that Iran conflict has resumed

The U.S. Constitution says that only Congress, not the president, has the power to declare war. However, U.S. presidents have long claimed the right to order shorter military engagements without lawmakers' approval to preserve U.S. security.

The War Powers Act requires the president to inform Congress within 48 hours of initiating hostilities, and says military action begun without Congress' approval must be terminated within 60 days.

With Iran, the first 60-day deadline was May 1, but the Republican president said it did not apply because he declared the hostilities had been terminated by the ceasefire, even as attacks continued and U.S. forces blockaded Iranian ports.

Democrats and Republican opponents of the ongoing war said the administration was misinterpreting the law.

"The president can't just wish away months of war he said would last only four to six weeks," a senior House of Representatives Democratic aide said, commenting on condition of anonymity.