'War is over'; US President Donald Trump makes big statement, opposition calls it ploy

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump officially declared an end to military operations against Iran. The US-Israeli alliance has also informed Congress in a letter that it has ended its military operations with Iran. In the letter, sent on May 1, Trump stated that the military operation, which began on February 28 until ceasefire on April 7th, has ended.

However, the Democratic Party alleges that this is Trump's strategy to bypass the 60-day legal deadline for seeking congressional approval for military action. The deadline to seek congressional approval to continue the war was May 1. According to the 1973 'War Powers Resolution', approval from the House of Representatives is required to continue the war for more than 60 days. Trump has taken the position that since the war is over, approval is no longer needed.

In a letter to leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, Trump said that there has been no firing between the two countries since April 7. The US attack began on February 28 under the name ‘Operation Epic Fury’.

Meanwhile, Democrats sharply criticised Trump’s move. Senator Tim Kaine and others argued that the US’s continued naval blockade of Iranian ports is part of the war. The opposition responded by saying, “There is no pause button in the Constitution to temporarily stop a war.” Some members of the Republican Party have also expressed dissatisfaction with Trump’s decision.

Senator Tim Kaine accused the current war of being illegal and of misusing American money. Senator Jeanne Shaheen criticised the fact that tens of thousands of American troops are still in the region, which is dangerous, and the declaration that the war is over is unrealistic. Trump mentioned in the letter that even though the war is over, the threat from Iran remains and that military deployments in the region will continue as needed.