U.S. Defense Secretary Says "60-Day Deadline" for Military Action Against Iran Has Been "Suspended" Due to Ceasefire
On April 30, Xinhua News Agency reported from Washington that U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper testified in Congress on April 30 that the ceasefire between the United States and Iran took effect on April 8, which means that President Trump's 60-day legal deadline for taking military action against Iran has been "paused or suspended," and the Trump administration currently does not need to seek congressional authorization for military action against Iran.
According to the War Powers Act passed by the United States in 1973, the president must decide to either stop military action or seek congressional authorization to continue operations within 60 days after first notifying Congress of the use of military force. The Trump administration officially informed Congress of military action against Iran on March 2, and the 60-day legal deadline calculated from that date will expire on May 1.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper stated that the 60-day legal deadline for military action against Iran has been paused due to a ceasefire that took effect on April 8. This means the Trump administration is not currently required to seek congressional authorization for military action. The deadline was originally set to expire on May 1, 2023, following a notification to Congress on March 2 regarding military action against Iran.
- U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper testified on April 30, 2023.
- A ceasefire with Iran took effect on April 8, 2023.
- The 60-day legal deadline for military action against Iran has been paused due to the ceasefire.
- The Trump administration does not need to seek congressional authorization for military action against Iran at this time.
- The 60-day deadline was set to expire on May 1, 2023.