Constitutional Deadline Looms

Trump's Iran War Powers Window Closes Soon

A 60-day constitutional limit on presidential military action without Congressional approval expires Wednesday, potentially forcing a showdown over U.S. operations against Tehran

Gila Isaacson

SEP 4, 2026 11:29

2 min read

As security tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to escalate, a critical legal deadline in the U.S. House of Representatives may reshape the confrontation as early as this week.

Dr. Kobi Barda, a U.S. affairs expert from HIT Holon Institute of Technology and the JPP Institute, explained in an interview with Radio 103fm that the administration's independent military authority to act against Iran is reaching its expiration date. Under amendments to the War Powers Resolution enacted in 1970, the president is authorized to conduct military operations without parliamentary approval for 60 days only. This period, referred to in the law as a "grace period," is set to conclude this coming Wednesday, May 9.

Barda noted an interesting historical detail: since 1942, when war was declared on Bulgaria, Congress has avoided formal declarations of war and instead preferred transferring temporary powers to the executive branch. However, in the current situation, any request by President Trump to Congress for an extension could face outright rejection, given the complex balance of power and the fact that midterm elections are only about six weeks away.

He explained that the impasse leaves the White House with only three possible courses of action: halt military activity until the target date, take the political risk of requesting approval from lawmakers, or ignore the limitation and bring the issue to a precedent-setting decision in the Supreme Court.