The US Senate is scheduled to vote Wednesday on a war powers resolution aimed at limiting President Donald Trump’s ability to conduct further military action against Iran without congressional approval.
Debate on the measure will begin at 11:00 a.m. local time (16:00 GMT), with the vote planned for 4:00 p.m. (21:00 GMT), reports Al Jazeera.
The resolution comes amid growing criticism from lawmakers and public figures over Trump’s recent strikes on Iranian targets, which many say were carried out without proper legislative authorization.
Proponents argue the vote is necessary to reassert Congress’s constitutional role in approving military action, while opponents, including most Republican lawmakers, have voiced support for the administration’s decision, citing national security concerns.
The resolution would require a two-thirds majority in both chambers to override a presidential veto, making its passage challenging given the narrow Republican majorities. Lawmakers have pledged to use the vote to publicly state their positions on the ongoing conflict and US military engagement in the Middle East.
The vote comes as the Trump administration faces scrutiny over its justifications for the strikes, with critics claiming the attacks served strategic interests aligned more with Israel than the United States.
Meanwhile, US Central Command (CENTCOM) chief Admiral Brad Cooper reported that nearly 2,000 targets across Iran have been struck since the start of joint US-Israeli operations. The campaign, described by Cooper as the largest US military buildup in the Middle East in a generation, involves more than 50,000 troops, around 200 fighter jets, two aircraft carriers, and bombers.
The strikes have reportedly destroyed hundreds of Iran’s ballistic missiles, air defence systems, drones, and 17 naval vessels, including a submarine. Iran has responded with over 500 ballistic missiles and 2,000 drones targeting US and allied forces, though Cooper said Tehran’s offensive capacity is diminishing.
The escalating conflict, part of Operation Epic Fury, follows Iranian retaliation against US bases and diplomatic posts after the initial US-Israeli assault. The situation continues to evolve, with civilian casualties mounting and global markets reacting to rising Gulf tensions.