Senate Rejects Measure to Restrict Trump Iran War Powers

The Senate late Wednesday rejected a measure that would have required President Trump to end U.S. military operations against Iran or obtain fresh congressional authorization. The vote reversed a resolution that had passed the previous day with support from four Republican senators.

Hours after a June 24 closed-door meeting with Senate Republicans, Sen. Bill Cassidy voted to help defeat the war-powers measure. President Trump had a lengthy and angry exchange with Sen. Cassidy during the meeting and criticized other Republican senators who had voted to limit his war powers regarding Iran.

One senator told President Trump during the meeting that the U.S. military operation against Iran had lasted four months instead of the originally planned four weeks.

Statements and Context Sen.

Cassidy stated that the Senate action could give Iran additional leverage in ongoing talks. A Republican senator posted on social media that the president's concern about Iran being emboldened was not unwarranted and called for a re-vote. President Trump expressed disappointment with NATO participation levels.

U.S. Central Command shared new photos Thursday highlighting American F-16 fighter jets actively flying over the Middle East during a patrol.