U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Weakens as Congress Debates War Powers and Munitions Shortages

The month-old ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is facing severe strain as domestic political divisions intensify in Washington. Senate Democrats are moving to vote on a war powers measure, arguing that Operation Epic Fury has exceeded the 60-day statutory limit without explicit congressional approval. While the Trump administration maintains that the current ceasefire negates the need for a new authorization, some GOP lawmakers, including Senator Lisa Murkowski, are seeking more transparency and formal measures to define the conflict's legal trajectory. Regionally, military coordination is shifting as Israel recently deployed Iron Dome anti-missile batteries and personnel to the United Arab Emirates. This move follows Iranian strikes on UAE soil and signals a more integrated defensive posture among U.S. allies. Simultaneously, reports of critical munitions shortages in the U.S. have surfaced, with some analysts noting that nearly half of high-end stockpiles—including Patriot and THAAD systems—have been depleted after seven weeks of hostilities. International observers, specifically China, are using the prolonged conflict to critique American strategy. Beijing has framed the war as a strategic error for the U.S., even as it positions itself as a mediator. In the energy sector, global oil markets remain volatile after President Trump rejected Tehran's latest peace proposal via social media, describing it as 'totally unacceptable.' The rejection has dimmed hopes for a swift reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, maintaining pressure on global fuel supplies.