US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Thursday, 1 May that he believes the ongoing ceasefire with Iran effectively "pauses" the 60-day clock mandated under the US War Powers Act for congressional authorisation of the military campaign. The remarks came as the Trump administration faces a critical legal deadline over its war with Iran, with Democratic lawmakers pushing back sharply.

What Hegseth Said at the Hearing

Hegseth made the comments during a congressional hearing when Democratic Senator Tim Kaine asked whether the Trump administration intended to seek formal congressional authorisation at the 60-day mark, as required by law. "Ultimately, I would defer to the White House and White House counsel on that. However, we are in a ceasefire right now, which our understanding means the 60-day clock pauses or stops in a ceasefire," Hegseth said.

Kaine pushed back immediately, stating: "I do not believe the statute would support that. I think the 60 days runs (out) maybe tomorrow, and that's going to pose a really important legal question for the administration there."

Background: How the War with Iran Began

On 28 February, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities, reportedly killing Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, senior military commanders, and civilians. President Donald Trump formally notified Congress of the military campaign on 2 March, making 1 May the 60-day milestone under the War Powers Act — the point at which a president must begin winding down hostilities unless Congress grants authorisation, according to media reports.

This is the first time in decades that the War Powers Act's 60-day provision has been tested against an active, large-scale US military engagement in the Middle East, raising questions about the statute's enforceability when a ceasefire is in effect.

The Legal Dispute at the Heart of the Debate

The core disagreement is whether a ceasefire suspends or merely delays the statutory clock. Hegseth's position — that the ceasefire "pauses or stops" the timeline — has no explicit precedent in the text of the War Powers Resolution of 1973, critics argue. Senator Kaine's challenge signals that congressional Democrats are prepared to escalate the legal confrontation, potentially through the courts or a formal resolution demanding withdrawal.

Notably, the administration has not yet indicated whether it will seek retroactive congressional authorisation, leaving open the question of whether the US military presence remains legally grounded beyond 1 May.

Putin-Trump Call: Iran and Ukraine on the Agenda

Separately, earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Trump held a phone call lasting over an hour and a half, according to the Kremlin. The two leaders discussed the situation in Iran and the Persian Gulf, the Ukraine crisis, and the recent shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner.

Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said Putin strongly condemned the assassination attempt against Trump at the dinner, stressing "the unacceptability of any form of politically motivated violence." Putin also reportedly viewed Trump's decision to extend the ceasefire as "the right move," while warning of "inevitable, extremely dire consequences" for Iran, its neighbours, and the broader international community should the US and Israel resort to force again.

What Comes Next

The legal standoff over the War Powers Act is expected to intensify in the coming days. Congressional Democrats may formally challenge the administration's interpretation, while the White House counsel's office is likely to issue a legal opinion on the ceasefire-clock question. Whether the ceasefire holds — and whether Congress ultimately authorises or blocks the continuation of hostilities — will shape both US domestic politics and the trajectory of the broader Iran conflict.