U.S.-Iran Conflict Update: House Deadlocks on War Powers as Military Costs Surge

Political and financial pressures are mounting in Washington as the conflict with Iran enters a critical phase. On Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives saw its narrowest vote yet on a war powers resolution, ending in a 212-212 deadlock. Notably, three Republicans broke ranks to vote with Democrats, signaling the first major erosion of GOP support since the conflict surpassed the 60-day legal deadline on May 1. Simultaneously, the Pentagon revealed that war costs have surged to $29 billion, causing severe budget shortfalls that threaten to exhaust Naval funds within two months and leave the Army with a $4-6 billion deficit. On the diplomatic and strategic front, Tehran has introduced a 'selective maritime access' framework for the Strait of Hormuz. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi suggested the waterway would remain open to 'friendly countries' but remain closed to 'enemies,' a stance the U.S. and international commerce groups are unlikely to accept. While U.S. Central Command acknowledges that military operations have degraded Iranian capabilities, Admiral Brad Cooper testified that Iran’s warnings continue to effectively deter commercial shipping, providing Tehran with significant leverage in ongoing peace negotiations. In response to the continued instability, regional allies are taking structural steps to mitigate economic fallout. The UAE has announced the accelerated construction of an oil pipeline that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz. Domestically, President Trump has maintained a dual-track rhetoric, warning Iran of 'annihilation' if a deal is not reached, while privately characterizing the retrieval of enriched uranium as a public relations victory rather than a technical necessity. Meanwhile, the State Department has launched a $15 million bounty program to disrupt the IRGC’s drone production networks.