WASHINGTON (AP) —President Donald Trump said Friday that he’s “not satisfied” with Iran’s latest proposal in negotiations to end the war. Asked what he sees are the proposal’s shortcomings, Trump said, “They’re asking for things I can’t agree to.”
The Trump administration is arguing that the war in Iran has already ended because of a ceasefire that began in early April, an interpretation that would allow the White House to avoid the need to seek congressional approval. On Friday, Trump dismissed the war powers law as "unconstitutional."
While the ceasefire has since been extended, Iran maintains its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, and the U.S. Navy is maintaining a blockade to prevent Iran’s oil tankers from getting out to sea.
Many Republicans who have been uneasy with Trump’s war in Iran emphasized that there would be a May 1 deadline for Congress to intervene. But the date is now set to pass with no action from GOP lawmakers who continue to defer to the White House.
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Trump says after CENTCOM briefing that he has two options for Iran
Discussing a Thursday briefing with Adm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, Trump said the U.S. has just two options in Iran.
“I mean, do we want to go and just blast the hell out of them and finish them forever? Or do we want to try and make a deal? I mean, those are the options,” Trump said.
Asked if he wanted to pursue the former, Trump said: “I’d prefer not. On a human basis, I’d prefer not, but that’s the option.”
Trump said he believes Iran’s leadership has made some progress toward unifying around a resolution.
“They’ve made strides, but I’m not sure if they ever get there,” he said. “There’s tremendous discord, they’re having a tremendous problem getting along with each other in Iran.”
Trump dismisses war powers law as ‘unconstitutional’
Friday marked the 60th day since the White House notified Congress of its military operations in Iran, meaning Trump would have to withdraw forces or seek formal approval from Capitol Hill.
But the president said his predecessors have similarly not sought congressional approval for military action abroad, and he wasn’t going to be any different.
“Every other president considered it totally unconstitutional, and we agree with that,” Trump said at the White House as he departed for Florida on Friday.
He also agreed with an argument advanced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth this week that ceasefire days should not count as hostilities and thus not toward the 60 day limit.
A senior administration official says the U.S.’s military actions in Iran have effectively “terminated” since the April 7 ceasefire.