Sixty days have passed since the US launched a surprise attack on Iran, triggering a massive war that engulfed the Middle East and sparked crude spike concerns worldwide.
A ceasefire is currently in effect, with the Trump administration reportedly trying to use this pause in fighting to skip the need for congressional approval.
The war stands in limbo, with no prospect for a deal, a US blockade on the Strait of Hormuz sending ripples across the globe as oil prices continue to rise.
The 60-day deadline comes from the War Powers Resolution of 1973, requiring US military operations undertaken without congressional authorisation to be terminated within 60 days.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth testified that the ceasefire agreement has paused the clock on any such obligation, but Virginia Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine disagreed, saying the statute would not support that.
There is confusion in Congress over the exact date of the deadline, with some lawmakers arguing that the 60-day countdown began when hostilities first started, while others point to the wording of the law.
