President Donald Trump formally notified Congress on July 13, 2026, that military action against Iran had recommenced on July 7, ending a ceasefire that had been in place since early April. The notification, obtained by CBS News, was sent in a letter dated July 10 and addressed to Republican Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the Senate's president pro tempore.

Trump declared the U.S.-Iran ceasefire "over" and ordered several rounds of strikes on Iranian targets in response to attacks by Iran on three commercial oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. He stated that these attacks violated a provision of the ceasefire agreement requiring Iran to ensure safe transit through the strait, which led to the U.S. military strikes.

Iranian authorities have maintained that ships must seek permission and follow an Iranian-approved route when transiting the Strait of Hormuz. In retaliation to the U.S. strikes, Iran launched missiles and drones targeting U.S.-allied Gulf states.

Under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, the president is required to notify Congress within 48 hours of the start of military hostilities. The Trump administration had previously notified Congress shortly after the U.S.-Iran conflict began in late February but had considered hostilities to have "terminated" following the ceasefire in early April.

The letter emphasized that the United States Armed Forces remain prepared to take further action as necessary to address threats to the United States and its allies and to ensure that Iran ceases to be a threat.

Caitlin Yilek, a CBS News politics reporter based in Washington, D.C., authored the report. She has prior experience with the Washington Examiner and The Hill and was a member of the 2022 Paul Miller Washington Reporting Fellowship with the National Press Foundation.

Sources