Overview
- President Trump told Congress on Friday that hostilities with Iran had “terminated,” citing an April 7 ceasefire and saying there has been no exchange of fire since then.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth argued the ceasefire pauses the 60‑day War Powers deadline, but Democrats and some Republicans, including Sen. Susan Collins, say the period expired without authorization.
- The U.S. maintains a naval blockade of Iranian ports and traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which Trump says is more effective than bombing, and officials say it will remain until normal shipping resumes.
- Contingency plans continue, with multiple reports that U.S. Central Command requested limited “Dark Eagle” hypersonic missiles for potential strikes, a capability never used in combat.
- Iran’s military warned renewed fighting is “likely” if talks fail, as Pakistan‑mediated diplomacy stalls and economic pain grows with inflation in Iran soaring and oil prices still elevated.