Dear MEPIN Readers,
With President Trump formally notifying Congress on July 10 that the United States has returned to hostilities, the 60-day clock under the War Powers Resolution has begun. Unless military operations conclude before September 10, Congress will have the opportunity to weigh in on the continuation of the conflict.
There is also an unresolved legal question over whether the administration can repeatedly restart the 60-day clock to satisfy the requirements of the War Powers Resolution.
This Thursday, President Trump will address the nation in prime time. It is an opportunity to explain why keeping the Strait of Hormuz open is a vital American national security interest and to remind the public that Iran is not merely a threat to Israel or the Middle East. For decades, under both Democratic and Republican administrations, the U.S. State Department has consistently designated Iran as the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism. His speech should make clear why confronting that threat serves America’s interests as well as those of its allies.