According to Iran International, President Trump formally notified Congress on Friday that hostilities with Iran had resumed, with U.S. forces carrying out strikes on July 7. In a letter obtained by The New York Times, Trump wrote:

American forces carried out defensive strikes against targets within Iran on July 7.

He stated the strikes were authorized under his constitutional authority as commander in chief. The notification is expected to intensify the ongoing standoff between the White House and Congress over the president’s war powers. Both chambers have already voted to direct Trump to either end military operations in Iran or seek congressional authorization, while the administration maintains the president is acting lawfully.