Washington: The U.S. Congress has taken a significant step by passing a bill aimed at limiting the ability of President Donald Trump to engage in military action against Iran. The Republican-controlled House of Representatives passed the bill with a vote tally of 215 to 208, focusing on the authority to wage war. This bill mandates that the U.S. president must withdraw troops from Iran unless Congress gives formal authorization for military action or declares war.
According to Thai News Agency, this development marks a notable defeat for President Trump in Congress, showcasing a rare instance of bipartisan cooperation to restrict the executive branch's wartime authority. Notably, four Republican members joined Democrats in supporting the resolution, while no Democrats opposed it.
Currently, the bill's impact is largely symbolic as it requires approval from both the Senate and the House of Representatives to be fully enacted, while debates continue over its constitutional validity. Even if passed, the President retains the power to veto the resolution.
Supporters of President Trump argue that the resolution could undermine national military power and security. However, there is growing discomfort within the Republican party, as members recognize potential political challenges and risks in the lead-up to the midterm elections in November.
In a related development, the U.S. government announced that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a ceasefire. A key condition of this agreement is for Hezbollah to cease its attacks and withdraw its forces from areas south of the Lithani River, raising hopes for broader peace talks involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran.
The situation remains tense following Iran's drone and missile attack on Kuwait, which damaged the international airport and several embassies, leading to one death and over 60 injuries. Iran denied responsibility, attributing the damage to a U.S. military interceptor missile that allegedly missed its target, a claim the U.S. military has dismissed.