The United States Senate on Tuesday passed a largely symbolic resolution calling for an end to President Donald Trump’s war with Iran, marking a fresh rebuke to the White House as it continues efforts to negotiate a long-term settlement with Tehran.
The measure, which had already been approved by the House of Representatives, was adopted by the Senate in a narrow 50-48 vote. It directs President Trump to withdraw US forces from hostilities with Iran unless Congress explicitly authorises military action.
As a concurrent resolution, the measure does not require the president’s signature and does not carry the force of law. However, its passage places both chambers of Congress on record against a conflict that erupted following US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, triggering regional instability and concerns over global energy supplies.
The vote follows similar congressional efforts during Trump’s first term. In 2019 and 2020, Congress passed War Powers resolutions aimed at limiting military action in Yemen and Iran, respectively, but both measures were vetoed by Trump, and lawmakers failed to override the vetoes.
Reacting to the development, Trump dismissed the resolution on his Truth Social platform, describing it as “poorly timed and meaningless.”
“These Senators have just made my job more difficult, but I will get it done, one way or the other, because I always get it done!” Trump wrote.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, who pushed for the vote, said lawmakers had a responsibility to formally oppose the conflict.
“Republicans can complain about Trump’s war, his secrecy, and his disastrous deal with Iran all they want behind closed doors, but the only way to ensure this war ends once and for all is for Republicans to act,” Schumer said on the Senate floor.
The resolution previously passed the Republican-controlled House after four Republican lawmakers joined Democrats in supporting the measure, highlighting growing concerns within Trump’s own party over the handling of the conflict.
Democrats argue that Trump violated constitutional provisions by launching military operations against Iran without congressional approval. Under the War Powers Act of 1973, presidents are generally required to obtain congressional authorisation within 60 days of committing US forces to hostilities.
The White House has maintained that the resolution is unconstitutional and insists that the conflict effectively ended following a ceasefire announced by Trump in April. Administration officials have also argued that limiting presidential authority could weaken ongoing diplomatic efforts with Tehran.
House Speaker Mike Johnson had earlier warned that restricting the commander-in-chief’s powers during sensitive negotiations would be “a very dangerous prospect.”
Despite those arguments, concerns continue to grow in Congress over the economic and political consequences of the conflict. Lawmakers have cited disruptions to trade routes, higher energy prices, and mounting pressure on American households already dealing with inflation ahead of the November midterm elections.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran remain ongoing. The Trump administration is seeking to transform a preliminary agreement signed with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian into a comprehensive deal covering Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief, and the future of the Strait of Hormuz.
However, significant obstacles remain.
Iran announced on Tuesday that inspectors from the United Nations nuclear watchdog would not be allowed access to nuclear facilities previously targeted by US and Israeli strikes. The decision contradicted earlier comments by Vice President JD Vance, who suggested Tehran had agreed to permit inspections.
Trump later insisted on social media that Iran had accepted “the highest level” of nuclear inspections.
At the same time, Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, stated that the Strait of Hormuz would “never return” to the conditions that existed before the conflict, despite renewed communication channels intended to preserve navigation through the strategic waterway.
The Senate vote underscores growing divisions in Washington over both the conflict itself and the administration’s efforts to negotiate its conclusion, as lawmakers continue to debate the limits of presidential war powers and America’s role in the Middle East.
