President Trump notified Congress that military operations against Iran have terminated, narrowly avoiding a statutory deadline for legislative approval while maintaining a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
President Donald Trump formally notified House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate President pro tempore Chuck Grassley on April 30 that U.S. hostilities against Iran have terminated. The notification, which identifies February 28, 2026, as the start of active combat, arrives precisely at the 60-day threshold mandated by the War Powers Resolution of 1973. By declaring an end to active fire as of April 7, the administration has effectively sidestepped the requirement for a formal congressional authorization of use of military force.
The timing of this legal maneuver is critical for the administration’s defense posture. Under the War Powers Resolution, the President must withdraw forces from unauthorized hostilities within 60 days unless Congress declares war or grants a specific statutory extension. By certifying that no shots have been fired for over three weeks, the White House is asserting that the statutory clock has stopped, even as the U.S. Navy maintains a rigorous blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to prevent Iranian oil exports.
Operation Epic Fury has left a significant mark on both the federal budget and the domestic economy. While the Pentagon officially estimates the cost of the operation at $25 billion, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claimed on May 1 that the true expenditure is closer to $100 billion. This fiscal strain coincides with a sharp rise in domestic inflation; March 2026 saw a three-year peak in key inflation gauges, driven largely by soaring gas prices resulting from the conflict in the Persian Gulf.
Public sentiment appears to be cooling toward the intervention. A Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos survey released May 1 indicates that 61 percent of Americans believe the administration erred in launching the operation. Despite this, the President’s letter to Congress maintains that the Iranian threat remains significant. While Tehran reportedly offered new peace negotiations through Pakistani intermediaries, the White House rejected the overture, citing unresolved concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
Congressional reaction remains polarized. While Republican leadership has largely backed the President’s executive discretion in the theater, Democrats are reportedly weighing a lawsuit. They argue that the continued naval blockade and the presence of U.S. assets in a high-tension environment constitute a continuation of hostilities that should require a vote on the House floor. For now, the ceasefire holds, but with Iran vowing retaliation for the economic blockade, the ‘peace’ remains as fragile as the supply lines it seeks to protect.
Olivia Kendall serves as the Senior Correspondent for Geopolitics, Defense, and Foreign Policy at Just Right News, where she provides a principled, conservative perspective on the complex forces shaping the global stage. With a career dedicated to deconstructing the intricacies of international relations, Kendall has become a trusted voice for readers who value national sovereignty, a robust military, and a foreign policy that prioritizes American interests above all else.
A native of Washington, D.C., Kendall’s professional journey is deeply rooted in her upbringing within the nation’s capital. Growing up in the epicenter of American political life, she developed an early and profound understanding of how policy is crafted and, more importantly, how it often fails to account for the values of the American heartland. This unique vantage point allowed her to witness firsthand the rise of globalist bureaucracies, fueling her commitment to reporting that champions the constitutional foundations of the United States. Her background as a British White American further informs her worldview, providing her with a keen appreciation for the Western tradition and the enduring importance of the “Special Relationship” in maintaining global stability.
Now based in Arlington, Virginia, Kendall operates from the doorstep of the Pentagon and the heart of the nation’s defense establishment. Her proximity to the decision-makers in the military and intelligence communities allows her to provide boots-on-the-ground reporting that is both timely and deeply informed. For Kendall, Arlington is more than just a base of operations; it is a daily reminder of the sacrifices made by the men and women in uniform. This connection to the defense community drives her rigorous coverage of military readiness and her advocacy for a “peace through strength” approach to diplomacy.
At Just Right News, Kendall is perhaps best known for her acclaimed feature series, “The World’s Shadow on America.” In this ongoing project, she explores the direct correlation between international developments and the daily lives of American citizens. Whether she is analyzing the encroachment of foreign adversaries in domestic supply chains or the impact of international treaties on local economies, Kendall’s work serves as a vital bridge between distant geopolitical shifts and their consequences at home. She rejects the notion that foreign policy is an abstract concern for elites, instead proving that what happens in the corridors of power in Brussels or Beijing has a tangible “shadow” that falls across every American doorstep.
Throughout her tenure, Kendall has remained a steadfast critic of international overreach and a vocal proponent of a clear-eyed, realistic foreign policy. She brings a sharp analytical mind to her beat, often challenging the prevailing narratives of the mainstream media to uncover the underlying truths that affect national security. Her reporting is characterized by a refusal to compromise on the truth and a dedication to the idea that a strong, secure America is the world’s best hope for liberty. As a Senior Correspondent, Olivia Kendall continues to lead the charge in providing the essential context and conservative insight necessary to navigate an increasingly volatile world.