White House Sidesteps War Powers Deadline as Iran Blockade Hits Oil Production

The Trump administration has officially bypassed the 60-day congressional authorization deadline mandated by the War Powers Resolution. In letters to congressional leadership, President Trump argued that because no exchange of fire has occurred since April 7, the hostilities that began in February are technically 'terminated.' This interpretation allows the administration to maintain military operations and the current blockade without seeking immediate legislative approval, despite the absence of a formal peace treaty. On the ground, the U.S. naval blockade is significantly impacting the Iranian economy. U.S. Central Command reported that 48 vessels have been diverted or forced to return to port. This pressure has led Tehran to begin reducing oil production as storage facilities reach critical capacity. Experts note that Iran is opting for production cuts rather than full shutdowns to prevent long-term geological damage to its oil fields, prioritizing infrastructure preservation over immediate revenue. Diplomatically, tensions remain high as Iranian military and civilian officials express skepticism over a peaceful resolution. Deputy Brigadier General Mohammad Jafar Asadi described a return to active combat as 'likely,' claiming the U.S. cannot be trusted to uphold agreements. Meanwhile, Iran's foreign ministry has positioned itself as reactive, stating that the 'ball is in the United States' court' and that the country is prepared for either a diplomatic breakthrough or a resumption of hostilities.