US President Donald Trump’s administration argues that a ceasefire with Tehran has “terminated” hostilities with Iran, as a legal deadline arrived for coming to Congress about the two-month Iran war, Reuters reports.

Under the 1973 War Powers Resolution, the president can wage military action for only 60 days before ending it, asking Congress for authorisation or seeking a 30-day extension due to “unavoidable military necessity regarding the safety of United States Armed Forces” while withdrawing forces.

Trump formally notified Congress of the conflict 48 hours after the first airstrikes, starting the 60-day clock that ends on May 1. As that date approached, congressional aides and analysts said they expected the Republican president to sidestep the deadline.

A senior Trump administration official said that the administration’s view was that the war powers law deadline did not apply.

“For War Powers Resolution purposes, the hostilities that began on Saturday, February 28, have terminated,” says the official, requesting anonymity while describing the administration’s thinking.

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