The US Senate, with its Republican majority, rejected a resolution on 4/3 that aimed to limit President Donald Trump's authority in the conflict with Iran. The proposal, introduced by Democratic Senator Tim Kaine and Republican Senator Rand Paul, sought to prevent further US military engagement without congressional approval. The vote was 53-47 against the resolution.
This vote occurred 5 days after a rapid escalation of the Iran conflict, which began with a joint US-Israel military campaign launched last weekend. The resolution specifically called for the US to cease involvement in the conflict unless explicitly authorized by Congress.
Democrats argued that President Trump acted unconstitutionally by bypassing Congress to authorize the airstrike campaign. They also asserted that the administration offered conflicting justifications for the conflict. Senator Kaine emphasized, "No evidence has been presented to show the US faced any imminent threat from Iran."
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US President Donald Trump at the White House on 3/3. *AP*
Most Republicans, however, supported the President's decision, arguing his actions were lawful and within his authority as commander-in-chief. Senator Lindsey Graham stated the strikes were essential to prevent Iran from developing more missiles and to protect American lives.
The conflict began on the morning of 28/2 when US and Israeli forces launched a campaign of strikes against Iran. They targeted defense and intelligence facilities, as well as numerous high-ranking officials and generals. These attacks resulted in the deaths of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several other senior Iranian officials.
In response, Iran launched its own campaign targeting Israeli territory and several bases hosting US forces across the Middle East. Concurrently, the US and Israel intensified their strikes against key targets in Iran.
Iran's IRNA news agency reported on 4/3 that at least 1,045 Iranian soldiers and civilians died in the airstrikes. The fighting also resulted in at least 11 deaths in Israel, 6 US military personnel in Kuwait, and numerous casualties in other Middle Eastern countries.
By Ngoc Anh (Sources: AFP, Reuters, CNN)
