The RecordExhibit 86
A war with Iran that Congress never approved
Pending means: In court or under criminal investigation right now.
The U.S. and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury against Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, with no declaration of war or authorization from Congress.
What happened
Trump called the War Powers Resolution unconstitutional. At its 60-day deadline he told Congress the hostilities had 'terminated' because of a ceasefire, even as naval blockades continued, and fighting resumed in July. The Pentagon lists 19 U.S. dead and more than 860 wounded; officials told the Washington Post the true death toll is 22 or 23. Deaths in Iran and Lebanon number in the thousands.
Where it stands
On Sept. 24, 2026, the advocacy group NIAC Action sued in federal court in Washington, asking a judge to declare the war unconstitutional without Congress's approval. There is no ruling yet, and courts have often dismissed war-powers lawsuits before reaching the merits. Congress has voted repeatedly: as of that date the House had approved three of six war-powers resolutions and the Senate two of 14. In June both chambers adopted one directing the president to remove U.S. forces from hostilities with Iran (the House on June 3, the Senate 50 to 48 on June 23), but the operations continued; such resolutions carry little legal weight. Legal scholars argue the war violates the Constitution, the UN Charter and the War Powers Resolution's 60-day limit. UN investigators keep documenting U.S. strikes that kill civilians, including at a wedding in September. As of late September, the U.S. naval blockade continues, an Iranian missile injured eight Marines on Sept. 14, and Trump rejected Iran's latest proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The administration's side
The administration claims authority as commander in chief. Vice President Vance says it isn't a war, and Trump has called it small potatoes.
Sources
Permanent link: https://unredactedrecord.com/e/iran/