U.S. Faces Looming War Powers Deadline as GOP Support Fractures Over Iran Blockade

The Trump administration’s military strategy in Iran is facing its first significant domestic political hurdle as Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) defected from GOP unity on Thursday. Her vote to halt U.S. military involvement comes just one day before the Friday deadline set by the 1973 War Powers Resolution. While Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth argued in Senate testimony that the legislative clock remains "paused" due to a ceasefire, the White House has confirmed active negotiations with Congress for official war authorization to avoid a mandatory 30-day withdrawal period. Financially and diplomatically, the conflict continues to escalate. Brent crude oil prices have spiked to over $126 per barrel, marking a four-year high as the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports persists. The Pentagon now estimates the total cost of operations at approximately $25 billion. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to secure NATO support for a "Hormuz reopening coalition" remain stalled, with Secretary Hegseth criticizing European allies for their lack of direct military action. President Trump is scheduled to review new kinetic options today as diplomatic resolutions remain out of reach. These briefings reportedly include the potential deployment of the "Dark Eagle" hypersonic missile system. Iranian leadership has remained defiant, dismissing the ongoing U.S. blockade as a failed strategy. With the 60-day statutory limit expiring, the administration faces mounting pressure to define the long-term objectives and legal framework of the mission.