Mike Johnson

President Donald Trump told congressional leaders that U.S. hostilities with Iran have been terminated and a ceasefire remains in place, according to a War Powers Resolution letter sent Friday to House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.

The letter stated that U.S. military operations against Iran began Feb. 28 and were carried out to protect Americans and advance national security interests. Trump said he ordered a ceasefire April 7, and that it has held without further exchange of fire.

"The ceasefire has been extended. There has been no exchange of fire between United States Forces and Iran since April 7," Trump wrote, adding that hostilities that began in late February "have terminated."

The notification was submitted "consistent with" the War Powers Resolution, the 1973 law requiring presidents to inform Congress of military engagements involving U.S. forces. The law also requires congressional authorization for extended conflicts, typically within 60 days of notification.

Trump notified Congress of the Iran conflict on March 2, meaning the 60-day timeframe expired Friday.

Trump's letter does not seek such authorization. Instead, it emphasizes that U.S. forces acted to counter threats from Iran and its proxies and to protect American personnel and interests at home and abroad.

Despite the ceasefire, Trump said the threat from Iran "remains significant" and indicated that U.S. forces would continue to adjust their posture in the region. The Department of War has updated force deployments to address threats from Iranian-backed groups and to strengthen cooperation with allies and partners, the letter stated.

"As the situation evolves, I will continue to update the Congress on noteworthy changes in the United States Armed Forces' posture," Trump wrote, adding that he appreciates the support of Congress in the actions taken.

Media reports indicated Trump also sent a similar letter to Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, the Senate president pro tempore.

The letter comes as lawmakers continue to debate the scope of presidential war powers and whether the administration should seek formal authorization to continue military operations involving Iran. The Senate on Thursday rejected for the sixth time a resolution intended to halt the conflict, voting 50-47.

Earlier Friday, Trump told reporters outside the White House before leaving for Florida that congressional authorization wasn't needed because the War Powers legislation was "unconstitutional."

"Because it's never been sought before," he said in comments that aired live on Newsmax and the free Newsmax2 streaming platform. "There's been numerous, many, many times, and nobody's ever gotten it before. They consider it totally unconstitutional.

"But we're always in touch with Congress. But nobody's ever saw it before. Nobody's ever asked for it before. It's never been used before. Why should we be different?"

Presidents of both parties have often conducted military operations without seeking formal authorization under the War Powers Resolution, raising constitutional concerns and frequently declining to treat it as binding in specific conflicts.

Trump's comments expanded on the administration's argument over the War Powers Resolution. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday that the deadline doesn't apply because of the ceasefire.

The law contains no provision allowing the 60-day clock to pause during a ceasefire.