Trump Notifies Congress of End to Iran Hostilities Amid Stalled Peace Talks

President Donald Trump formally notified Congress on Friday that direct hostilities between the United States and Iran have "terminated," citing a lack of direct fire exchanges since April 7, 2026. This notification is intended to address the 60-day deadline imposed by the War Powers Resolution, which limits the use of military force without congressional authorization. The administration maintains that because a ceasefire has held since early April, the statutory clock is no longer running. Despite the legal notification, diplomatic progress remains at a stalemate. Iran has submitted a new proposal for a second round of peace talks after the Trump administration rejected a prior version that sought to delay negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear program. President Trump has stated he is "not satisfied" with the current framework and has suggested that military strikes could resume if a deal is not reached. The maritime environment remains tense as both nations maintain restrictive measures. The U.S. continues its blockade of Iranian ports, while Iran persists in preventing ships from traversing the Strait of Hormuz. On Thursday, top military commanders briefed President Trump on new operational plans, which reportedly include options for a wave of "short and powerful" strikes against Iranian infrastructure should the diplomatic path fail.