U.S. Operations in Iran Reach $25 Billion as Formal War Powers Deadline Looms

The Trump administration is facing a critical legislative deadline this Friday as the 60-day window under the War Powers Resolution, triggered on March 2, comes to a close. During his second day of congressional testimony, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth argued that the statutory clock 'pauses' during ceasefires, even as blockades remain active. This interpretation has drawn pushback from war powers advocates and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, while Pentagon officials confirmed that operational costs have now climbed to $25 billion. On the military front, President Trump is prepared to review a new suite of escalated strike options to break the stalemate in the Strait of Hormuz. Central to these plans is the potential use of 'Dark Eagle' advanced hypersonic missiles. The move comes as diplomatic efforts to form a unified coalition face friction; European allies have expressed growing hesitation to commit forces following Secretary Hegseth’s recent criticisms of NATO’s preference for 'fancy conferences' over direct military action. Market stability remains fragile as Brent crude oil sustains recent gains due to the ongoing maritime standoff. While equity markets have remained relatively stable, Iran’s leadership continues to maintain a defiant posture, dismissing U.S. efforts as ineffective. Concurrently, the White House continues active discussions with lawmakers to secure a formal authorization for the use of military force to avoid a legal lapse in authority.