Trump Declares Iran Hostilities Terminated as CENTCOM Outlines New Strike Plans
President Trump notifies Congress that hostilities ended in April while CENTCOM prepares fresh strike options following base damage reports.
On May 2, 2026, President Donald Trump officially notified Congress that hostilities with Iran terminated as of April 7. The move comes as the 60-day War Powers Act deadline expired on May 1, allowing the administration to sidestep certain legislative requirements for ongoing military authorization. Despite the declaration of terminated hostilities, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) briefed the President on a range of new military options. These include short-duration strikes on Iranian infrastructure and potential ground operations within the Strait of Hormuz to maintain the current maritime blockade.
The strategic shift follows reports that 16 of the 19 U.S. military installations in the region were damaged in prior Iranian retaliatory strikes. While the U.S. maintains that 85% of Iran's missile production capacity has been neutralized, the administration continues to apply economic pressure. The U.S. Treasury recently sanctioned three Iranian foreign currency exchange firms to further isolate Tehran from international financial markets.
In the diplomatic sphere, Iran reportedly submitted a new negotiation proposal through Pakistani mediators on Friday. However, President Trump has rejected the proposal as insufficient, stating that the U.S. remains prepared for further bombardment or a comprehensive new deal. Meanwhile, the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier has departed the region, suggesting a possible naval realignment as the U.S. pivots toward economic leverage and selective military contingency planning.
Key Points
- President Trump notified Congress that hostilities with Iran terminated on April 7, effectively bypassing the 60-day War Powers Act deadline.
- CENTCOM has presented the White House with new military options, including potential ground operations in the Strait of Hormuz and infrastructure strikes.
- Internal assessments reveal that 16 out of 19 U.S. bases in the Middle East sustained damage from previous Iranian retaliatory strikes.
- The U.S. Treasury imposed new sanctions on three Iranian currency exchange firms to further disrupt Tehran's financial networks.
- U.S. officials claim 85% of Iran's missile manufacturing and the majority of its drone factories have been destroyed.