Senate passes resolution limiting Trump's war powers against Iran
US Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer speaks after the resolution was passed. Photo: Reuters
The US Senate has passed a resolution limiting President Donald Trump's authority to conduct military operations against Iran. As a result, Trump must now obtain congressional approval before taking any further military action against Iran.
The resolution was passed in the Senate on Tuesday (local time) with a 50-48 vote. Earlier this month, the measure was approved by the US House of Representatives.
Although Republicans hold a majority in the Senate, four conservative members crossed party lines to vote in favor of the resolution. Additionally, all but one Democratic member supported the move.
Tuesday's vote marks the first time that a war powers resolution has successfully passed through both chambers of Congress. However, despite its passage, the resolution is largely seen as symbolic, as Trump is widely expected to veto it.
Chuck Schumer, the leader of the Democratic Party in the US Senate, said that for years Trump had been promising "maximum pressure" on Iran. But in the end, through this disastrous war path, he has only brought maximum confusion, chaos, and maximum harm to the American people.
He added that the American public has paid a heavy price for Trump's historic mistake, and this event will go down in history as one of the worst missteps in American history.
The resolution directs Trump to terminate hostilities against Iran and withdraw US armed forces. However, it allows for a limited military presence to counter any potential attacks against the United States or its allies in the Middle East. (Source Al Jazeera, Reuters)
