The White House formally told Congress on Friday that U.S. hostilities with Iran have “terminated,” arguing that an extended ceasefire means President Donald Trump is not required to seek congressional authorization for the war or begin withdrawing forces under the War Powers Resolution.

In a letter to the leadership of both chambers, Trump said he ordered a two-week ceasefire on April 7 that has since been extended, and “there has been no exchange of fire between United States Forces and Iran since April 7, 2026.”

“The hostilities that began on February 28, 2026, have terminated,” Trump wrote.

The letter does not say the U.S. is withdrawing forces from the region.

The conflict is ongoing in multiple respects. American forces are still deployed in the region, the naval blockade of Iranian ports is ongoing and Trump has rejected Iran’s offer to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for lifting the blockade. But Friday marks 60 days since Trump notified Congress that U.S. forces had begun Operation Epic Fury, putting more pressure on the administration to do something it’s avoided in various military engagements: ask Congress for its approval.

The letter is the administration’s official version of the argument Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth previewed at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing Thursday, when he told lawmakers that the ceasefire “stops” the 60-day war powers clock. Several Republican senators said Thursday they wanted the administration to make the argument more formally.

In the lead-up to the deadline, lawmakers had expected the administration to formally request a 30-day extension under the 1973 War Powers Resolution, a step that can be only used to draw down the operation. If the president hasn’t received authorization or an extension by the 60-day mark, he must end U.S. military involvement.

Democrats immediately disputed Hegseth’s interpretation of the 60-day clock, arguing that the U.S. remains engaged in hostilities and the statute would not support that.

“There’s no pause button in the Constitution, or the War Powers Act,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, wrote on X. “We’re at war. We’ve been at war for 60 days. The blockade alone is a continuing act of war. Failing to seek congressional approval, Trump is breaking the law & betraying Americans.”Democrats are also using the deadline to target vulnerable Republicans, such as Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan, before November’s midterm elections.“Dan Sullivan backed the war in Iran, a conflict that has left U.S. service members dead, disrupted the global economy, and raised prices at home,” the Democratic Senate Majority PAC wrote on X. “It’s now been 60 days since it began, past the limit set by the War Powers Act. It’s time for Senator Sullivan to grow backbone and vote to end it.”

The White House letter appeared aimed at heading off a bipartisan push in Congress to force a vote on ending U.S. military involvement. A Thursday war powers vote picked up at least one additional Republican supporter: Sen. Susan Collins, who previously voted against Iran war powers resolutions. Sen. John Curtis of Utah has also indicated he may not support the use of force without Congress weighing in after the 60-day mark, a sign of wavering Republican support as the deadline hit.

Sen. Todd Young said he still wants an authorization of the use of military force and said he expects the administration to “work with Congress on the need for an AUMF should conflict resume.”

“We must ensure that the people, through their elected representatives, weigh in on whether to send our military into combat,” Young said in a statement. “This should not be controversial. Given the Administration’s stated position that the Iran conflict has ceased, there should be no hostilities moving forward. I expect the Administration to work with Congress on the need for an AUMF should conflict resume.”

Democrats continue to push their own efforts. Chris Coons wrote on X Friday that he’s introducing a war power resolution “to finally end this unauthorized war of choice.” At least six previous Democratic resolutions — one co-sponsored by Republican Sen. Rand Paul — have failed to pass since the conflict began.

Trump told reporters on Friday that it is “totally unconstitutional” to seek congressional authorization.

Trump’s letter says the threat from Iran “remains significant” despite what he called the success of U.S. operations. He said the Defense Department continues to update the posture of U.S. forces in the region “as necessary and appropriate” to address threats from Iran and its proxies and to protect the United States and its allies and partners.

Those changes were outlined in a classified attachment to the letter.

The letter says Trump will continue to direct the military under his constitutional authority as commander in chief and chief executive, and will keep Congress updated on “noteworthy changes” to the U.S. military presence.