US Senate adopts War Powers Resolution directing end to Iran hostilities

The US Senate passed a War Powers Resolution on Tuesday directing President Donald Trump to end hostilities against Iran unless Congress authorizes further military action.

The upper chamber voted 50 to 48 to approve the House-passed resolution, which was introduced by Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Republican Senators Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Rand Paul of Kentucky joined Democrats in supporting the resolution.

Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voted against it, while Republican Sens. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania did not vote.

The practical impact of the measure remains uncertain, as Washington and Tehran have already reached an interim peace agreement. However, the nonbinding resolution represents the strongest symbolic pushback from Capitol Hill against the war to date after nine previous votes failed to secure a simple majority needed to pass it in the Senate.

The Senate vote came less than a week after the Trump administration announced an interim understanding with Iran aimed at halting hostilities while negotiations toward a broader settlement continue.

'These Senators have just made my job more difficult'

Trump criticized the passage of the resolution, arguing that the vote undermined his administration's leverage in dealings with Tehran and made it more difficult to achieve US objectives.

"So, I have Iran on the ropes, ready to go down for the fall, willing to give us practically anything," he wrote on his Truth Social platform, adding that Iran was showing respect toward the US and his administration.

Trump described the Senate vote as "poorly timed and meaningless," accusing lawmakers of signaling opposition to his Iran policy at a critical moment.

The president also criticized four Republican senators, calling them "losers" and arguing that the vote had provided "aid and comfort" to a US adversary.

"These Senators have just made my job more difficult, but I will get it done, one way or the other, because I always get it done!" he wrote.

The US and Israel launched military operations against Iran on Feb. 28, prompting retaliatory Iranian strikes on US assets across the Middle East. The fighting was halted under a Pakistan-mediated ceasefire that took effect on April 8.

Washington and Tel Aviv accuse Tehran of pursuing nuclear and missile programs that threaten Israel and US regional allies. Iran denies the allegations, insisting its nuclear activities are peaceful and not intended to produce nuclear weapons or threaten other countries.

On June 17, Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian electronically signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at achieving a lasting peace agreement.

The two sides are now engaged in technical negotiations during a 60-day ceasefire, seeking to resolve disputes over Iran’s nuclear program and restore commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-conflict levels.