Trump Tells Congress the Iran War Is 'Terminated' on War Powers Deadline Day, but Vows Not to Leave Iran Early

President Donald Trump told Congress on Friday, November 13, 2026, that the war with Iran has "terminated", in a letter sent on the day the 60-day War Powers deadline fell. In the same day, he told supporters in Florida that the United States would not leave Iran early, setting up a sharp dispute over whether the war is really over while American forces stay in the region and the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continues.

The letter, addressed to House Speaker Mike Johnson, said there has been no exchange of fire between American forces and Iran since a ceasefire began on April 7, 2026. Trump argued that the ceasefire paused the clock under the War Powers Resolution, so he did not need Congress to approve continued military operations. Congress left Washington without acting on the deadline.

United States Capitol building at dusk with American flag

What Happened, In Short

President Donald Trump wrote to Congress on Friday, November 13, 2026, that the war with Iran has "terminated", saying there has been no exchange of fire since the April 7, 2026 ceasefire. The letter came on the 60-day deadline under the War Powers Resolution, the law that requires a president to get Congress approval within 60 days of notifying lawmakers of military action. Trump said the ceasefire paused that clock and called the law "totally unconstitutional". Congress left Washington without acting, and the Senate had rejected an Iran war powers resolution for a sixth time on Thursday, by 47 votes to 50. Hours after the letter, Trump said in Florida that the United States would not leave Iran early, and that Iran was "not coming through with the kind of deal that we have to have".

What Trump Wrote to Congress

Trump wrote to congressional leaders on the 60th day since he formally notified Congress of strikes against Iran. In the letter, he said: "There has been no exchange of fire between the United States Forces and Iran since April 7, 2026. The hostilities that began on February 28, 2026 have terminated."

The letter was sent to House Speaker Mike Johnson on Friday, November 13, 2026, as the 60-day deadline under the War Powers Resolution arrived. Under the 1973 law, a president must receive Congress approval within 60 days of notifying lawmakers of military action, or else cease hostilities. The law also allows up to 30 extra days for the prompt removal of troops.

Trump told reporters on Friday that he did not need to seek authorisation from Congress. "No other country has ever done it," he said. "Most people consider it totally unconstitutional," he added, referring to the War Powers Resolution.

Why the Deadline Mattered

The War Powers Resolution was passed in 1973 to limit the ability of then-President Richard Nixon to continue waging war in Vietnam. It requires a president to end the use of armed forces unless Congress makes a formal declaration of war or allows an extension.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth argued before a congressional hearing on Thursday, November 12, that the ceasefire "pauses or stops" the 60-day clock. Democratic Senator Tim Kaine responded: "I do not believe the statute would support that."

Legal experts have also questioned the administration's reading of the law. Professor Heather Brandon-Smith, from Georgetown University Law in Washington DC, said that even if a ceasefire was legally in effect, it would not stop the clock. "A ceasefire is not a permanent end to the conflict," she said. "To my mind, a permanent end to the conflict is what would actually sort of close up the 60 days."

Democratic-led attempts in both chambers of Congress to constrain Trump in the case of Iran have repeatedly failed. The Senate rejected the Iran War Powers Resolution for a sixth time on Thursday, by 47 votes to 50, with Senator Susan Collins the only new vote in support. Most Republicans have opposed the Democratic efforts, though some have indicated they might reconsider their positions after the 60-day mark.

Trump: "We Are Not Going to Leave Early"

Hours after telling Congress the war had terminated, Trump struck a very different note in a speech in Florida on Friday. He said Iran was not offering the deal the United States wants, and that American forces would stay in place.

"They're not coming through with the kind of deal that we have to have," Trump said. "And we're going to get this thing done properly. We're not going to leave early and then have the problem arise in three more years."

Trump also said he had just spoken with Iran, and was not happy with how the talks were going. "We just had a conversation with Iran. Let's see what happens. But, I would say that I am not happy," he told reporters. He said a deal has been hard to reach in part because Iranian leadership was "very confused", after a number of its top military officials were killed in the war.

Trump said he was briefed by US Central Command on Thursday with options ranging from "blast the hell out of them and finish them forever" to "make a deal". The United States and Iran have not yet reached a longer-term peace deal through talks, though Iranian media reported a new proposal from Tehran sent through Pakistan intermediaries on Friday. According to Iranian state news agency IRNA, a proposal from Tehran for negotiations with the US was sent to Pakistan. The news agency did not publish the details, and it is unclear if the proposal has reached the US.

The War Is Not Over on the Ground

Despite the letter's claim that hostilities have terminated, the military reality in the Gulf has not changed. The American naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continues, and the key shipping channel is still effectively closed, causing economic impacts around the world.

On Friday, the US Treasury issued a notice warning that any individual or company that pays Iran a "toll" for passage through the Strait of Hormuz was at risk of violating US sanctions. Earlier on Friday, US Central Command said American forces shot down two Iranian one-way attack drones headed toward Bahrain, with no injuries or damage, and denied Iran's claim that it had destroyed a US early-warning radar in Bahrain.

The conflict began on February 28, 2026, when the United States and Israel launched wide-ranging strikes on Iran, killing the country's supreme leader. Iran responded by launching attacks on Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf. The US and Israel have led Western opposition to Iran's nuclear programme, claiming the country is seeking to develop a nuclear bomb, which Tehran has denied.

For background on how this week unfolded, read our report on Trump saying the Iran war is "effectively over" after talks with Qatar, and our coverage of Iran striking navigation systems on Oman's Didamar Island in the Strait of Hormuz.

US Navy warship sailing through the Strait of Hormuz at sunset

What Happens Next

The administration's position is that the war is over as a legal matter, while American forces remain in the region and the blockade stays in place. Critics in Congress and among legal experts say only a permanent end to the conflict, or action by Congress or the courts, can settle the question.

Attention now turns to whether Iran's new proposal, sent through Pakistan on Friday, reaches Washington and whether it changes the talks. Trump has said he wants a deal done properly, and has not ruled out further military action. To follow the latest developments in the region, watch for the White House response to Tehran's proposal and any new statement from Congress on the War Powers deadline.

For the latest verified information, follow reports from the BBC, Forbes, Reuters and the Associated Press.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Trump tell Congress about the Iran war?

In a letter to congressional leaders on Friday, November 13, 2026, Trump said: "There has been no exchange of fire between the United States Forces and Iran since April 7, 2026. The hostilities that began on February 28, 2026 have terminated." He said the ceasefire that began on April 7 paused the clock under the War Powers Resolution.

What is the War Powers Resolution deadline?

The 1973 War Powers Resolution requires a president to receive Congress approval within 60 days of notifying lawmakers of military action, or else cease hostilities. The law allows up to 30 extra days for the prompt removal of troops. Friday, November 13, 2026, was the 60th day since Trump formally notified Congress of strikes against Iran.

Did Congress act on the deadline?

No. Congress left Washington without acting, and the 60-day mark came and went on Friday. The Senate had rejected the Iran War Powers Resolution for a sixth time on Thursday, by 47 votes to 50, with Senator Susan Collins the only new vote in support.

Is the war really over if the blockade continues?

That is the central dispute. Trump says hostilities have terminated because there has been no exchange of fire since April 7. Critics, including legal experts, say a ceasefire is not a permanent end to the conflict. The American naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continues, the strait is still effectively closed, and US forces shot down two Iranian drones headed for Bahrain on Friday.

What did Trump say in Florida on Friday?

Hours after the letter, Trump said Iran was "not coming through with the kind of deal that we have to have" and added: "We're not going to leave early and then have the problem arise in three more years." He said he had just had a conversation with Iran and was "not happy" with how talks were going.

Has Iran made a new proposal?

According to Iranian state news agency IRNA, Tehran sent a new proposal for negotiations with the US through Pakistan intermediaries on Friday. The details were not published, and it is unclear if the proposal has reached Washington.

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