Trump formally notifies Congress US military action against Iran has resumed, orders fresh strikes

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump has formally notified Congress that US military operations against Iran resumed last week, triggering the War Powers Act timeline that allows the Pentagon to continue operations for up to 60 days without new congressional authorization.

The notification, dated Friday, July 10, came as fighting between Washington and Tehran continued to intensify following repeated clashes over commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. On the same day, Trump warned Iran of additional military action before US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced another round of strikes targeting Iranian positions.

Trump tells Congress military operations resumed under War Powers Act

In a two-page letter obtained by multiple US media outlets, Trump informed lawmakers that military action against Iran restarted on July 7 following Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

"I directed this military action consistent with my responsibility to protect Americans and United States' interests both home and abroad and in furtherance of United States' national security and foreign policy interests," the commander-in-chief wrote. 

The president said the operations were designed to target Iranian military sites while limiting civilian casualties. "United States ground forces are not involved in these strikes. These strikes are limited, measured, planned and executed in a manner designed to minimize civilian casualties," the letter stated.

Under the War Powers Resolution, the notification allows US forces to continue military operations for 60 days, with an additional 30-day extension available if needed before requiring congressional approval.

The administration said previous hostilities had effectively ended after an earlier ceasefire agreement, resetting the timeline. The latest notification follows Trump's declaration that the ceasefire with Iran was "over" after renewed attacks on commercial shipping.

Trump also told Congress that US forces remain prepared for additional action if necessary: "United States Armed Forces remain postured to take further action, as necessary and appropriate, to address further threats and attacks upon the United States or its allies and partners."

Trump announces more action before US launches fresh strikes

Hours after the congressional notification became public, Trump signaled that more military action was imminent during an interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt.

"We're going to take out Pickaxe Mountain," he said, referring to a heavily fortified site that analysts believe is linked to Iran's nuclear program. "Tell the Iranians to be ready. Let them know we're coming, okay? There's not a damn thing they can do about it."

Moments later, CENTCOM announced that American forces had begun another night of military operations against Iran.

"US Central Command began launching the third consecutive night of strikes against Iran, at the Commander in Chief's direction," the statement said. 

"These strikes will continue imposing a heavy cost on Iranian forces and degrade their ability to attack innocent civilians and commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz," it added. 

The latest operation followed multiple rounds of US strikes this week that CENTCOM said targeted Iranian missile sites, drone capabilities, air defense systems and other military infrastructure linked to attacks on commercial shipping.