Trump said is over

By Jan Christoph Freybott and Khang Mischke

Washington (dpa) — US President Donald Trump has declared the end of hostilities with Iran in a letter sent to Congress, as a key legal deadline on the conflict expires.

Since the start of a ceasefire on April 7, there have been no clashes between US and Iranian forces, according to the letter signed by Trump and seen by dpa.

“The hostilities that began on February 28, 2026, have terminated,” the letter states.

Trump’s declaration is significant because the 60-day window under the War Powers Resolution — during which a US president can conduct military operations without congressional approval — expires Friday.

In the letter, addressed to House Speaker Mike Johnson, Trump cautioned that risks remain despite the halt in fighting.

“Despite the success of United States operations against the Iranian regime and continued efforts to secure a lasting peace, the threat posed by Iran to the United States and our Armed Forces remains significant,” the letter says.

Trump said is over

It adds that the Defense Department will continue adjusting troop deployments in selected countries in the region as needed to address threats from Iran and to “protect the United States and its allies and partners.”

Trump added that he would continue to keep Congress informed in line with legal requirements.

Speaking to reporters earlier on Friday, Trump made clear he would not seek congressional approval to continue the conflict, which has become increasingly unpopular with the American public.

“Nobody’s ever asked for it before. It’s never been used before. Why should we be different?” he said.

Under the 1973 law, a president must obtain authorization after 60 days or begin withdrawing forces. Previous presidents, including Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, have relied on legal interpretations to avoid seeking such approval.

In testimony on Capitol Hill this week, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the 60-day limit had not been reached, arguing that the ceasefire effectively paused the clock — a position that military and legal experts say is not supported by the law.