US President Donald Trump has suffered a major political setback regarding the issue of war with Iran. For the first time, the US Senate has passed a resolution aimed at curbing US military action against Iran. This decision comes at a time when President Trump is attempting to salvage the agreement with Iran and garner congressional support for war-related expenditures. Following the setback in the Senate, Trump lashed out on social media, claiming the Senate had aided the enemy. He also attacked the four lawmakers from his own Republican Party who voted in favor of the resolution.
What decision did the US Senate take?
On Tuesday, the US Senate approved a “War Powers Resolution” for the first time. The resolution aims to restrict US military action against Iran. It directs the President to withdraw troops from the ongoing conflict with Iran unless Congress explicitly authorizes military action. This marked the tenth attempt by the Senate to curb war powers, and this time, the resolution passed with a vote of 50–48. The move is seen as a significant and surprising shift compared to previous attempts, as even lawmakers from Trump’s own party turned against him.
Trump lashes out
President Donald Trump reacted angrily to the decision on his social media platform, Truth Social. He described it as a “badly timed and useless decision.” Trump stated that passing the resolution was akin to aiding and emboldening Iran. He wrote, “I had Iran almost on its knees. They were close to defeat and ready to give us almost everything. For the first time in decades, they were showing respect to the US and its President—me. At such a time, the US Senate holds this useless vote, sending a message to the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism that America disapproves of my actions and that I should stop…”
Trump further wrote, “…4 Republican ‘loser’ lawmakers have also voted alongside the Democrats. Iran is asking my people what all this means. These senators have made my job even harder, but I will get it done one way or another, because I always get the job done.”
This vote in Parliament took place at a time when the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) is seeking $80 billion from Congress. The bulk of this amount is requested to cover expenses related to the conflict with Iran, replace used weaponry, and replenish military stockpiles.
