US President Donald Trump has formally notified congressional leaders that the military conflict against Iran has "terminated," as the operation — launched without prior Congressional approval — reached its 60-day legal deadline under the War Powers Resolution on 1 May 2026. The declaration comes amid continuing uncertainty over diplomatic negotiations, with Trump warning he remains "not satisfied" with current Iranian proposals.

The War Powers Deadline

In a letter to congressional leaders, Trump stated: "There has been no exchange of fire between the United States and Iran since April 7, 2026." He added, "The hostilities that began on February 28, 2026, have terminated." The letter was quoted by Politico and separately reported by Xinhua.

Under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, a US president must terminate military action within 60 days of notifying Congress, unless lawmakers formally authorise its continuation. The Trump administration notified Congress on 2 March 2026, setting the expiry at 1 May 2026. The move is widely seen as an effort to pre-empt a Congressional challenge over the legality of the conflict, according to the report.

How the Conflict Unfolded

The United States and Israel launched major combined combat operations against Iran on 28 February 2026, without seeking prior Congressional authorisation — a step that drew immediate scrutiny from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. The formal notification to Congress followed two days later, on 2 March, triggering the statutory countdown. No exchange of fire has been reported since 7 April 2026, according to Trump's own letter.

Trump's Assessment of Iran's Military Capacity

Speaking to reporters before departing on Marine One on Friday, Trump claimed Iran's military had been significantly degraded by the recent conflict. He asserted the country now has "no navy", "no air force", and limited defence capability. While the claims could not be independently verified, they reflect the administration's posture heading into any potential negotiations.

Diplomatic Talks Remain Uncertain

Despite the termination declaration, Trump made clear that diplomacy has not produced a satisfactory outcome. "They want to make a deal, but I'm not satisfied with it, so we'll see what happens," he told reporters. He described Iran's leadership as fragmented and internally divided, saying they are "all messed up" and "very disjointed," complicating any consensus on a deal.

Trump acknowledged both options remain on the table. "Do we want to go and just blast the hell out of him and finish him forever, or do we want to try and make a deal?" he said, adding, "I'd prefer not, on a human basis." Notably, this is the first formal acknowledgement from the administration that active hostilities have ceased, even as the diplomatic path forward remains deeply unclear.