Israel Releases Footage of Iranian Attack
The Israel Defense Forces has shared video footage claiming to depict an assault on Iranian soldiers who were apparently setting up missile launchers directed at Israel from western Iran.
Recently, President Donald Trump announced that U.S. military forces had kicked off a significant combat operation in Iran, prompting concerns about whether he overstepped his authority by bypassing Congress, which has the constitutionally granted right to declare war.
In describing the joint operation with Israel intended to topple Iran’s leadership and dismantle its arms supplies, Trump characterized the action as “war.” He pointed to the 1973 War Powers Resolution and the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) as legal backing. Experts suggest that these laws enable him to sidestep legislative approval for military actions against Iran.
“Historically, courts have permitted presidents to unilaterally issue such orders,” noted Jonathan Turley, a law professor at George Washington University, in his commentary. He cited precedents from previous Democratic administrations during conflicts in Bosnia and Libya.
The War Powers Resolution stipulates that the President must consult Congress within 48 hours of military actions and must cease operations within 60 days, unless Congress supports the action. Turley mentioned that Congress could quickly regain control over what the Pentagon has dubbed “Operation Epic Fury,” should it choose to.
“In light of the ever-changing situation, many Congress members might be waiting for initial results and, honestly, public opinion on the attack. I think if the operation continues for an extended period, calls for Congressional intervention will likely amplify,” he indicated.
Gabriel Noronha, a former State Department official, asserted in a lengthy post on X that Congress had effectively authorized Trump’s actions due to the AUMF, as Iran is considered the “home base of al-Qaeda.” He highlighted that the 2001 version of the law, unlike its predecessors, remains in effect, allowing military action against entities involved in the 9/11 attacks or those that harbor them.
“Congress had 25 years to limit the reach of the 2001 AUMF,” Noronha stated. “Instead, we consciously decided to empower the president to pursue international terrorists globally.”
In a statement released early Saturday, Trump referred to Operation Epic Fury as a “noble mission,” acknowledging the possibility of military casualties, as he explicitly mentioned the word “war.” “Our brave American heroes may be lost, and our lives may also be lost, as frequently occurs in warfare,” Trump stated.
Some have speculated that, in planning the operation, the U.S. and Israel intentionally divided responsibilities to navigate legal obstacles. A U.S. official explained that while the Israeli military targets Iranian leadership, U.S. forces are focused on missile sites deemed an “immediate threat,” not on leadership targets. Retired Israeli Air Force General Amos Yadlin remarked that Israel’s focus on Iranian leadership was due to a longstanding U.S. law that limits targeting heads of state.
What’s Next for U.S. and Iran?
Meanwhile, the White House is apparently taking Congress into account as it develops its strategy. Prior to the operation, Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed a bipartisan group of top Congressional leaders and members of the intelligence committees. Spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt noted that Rubio reached out to nearly every member of this group before the strikes commenced.
Most Republican lawmakers have backed Trump’s actions, although some Democrats expressed opposition. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasized that unless there’s an “emergency,” Trump needs Congressional authorization to initiate “an act of war.”
“The Trump administration must promptly clarify this act of war to the American people and Congress, define its national security goals, and outline a strategy to avoid another costly and prolonged military entanglement in the Middle East,” Jeffries remarked.
Senator John Thune, a Republican, complimented the president, citing Iran’s “persistent nuclear ambitions” and unwillingness to engage diplomatically. However, some non-interventionist Republicans, like Senator Rand Paul, voiced their disagreement, emphasizing that the Constitution grants Congress the power to declare war to minimize the risk of conflict.
Paul referenced President James Madison’s belief that the executive branch is the most likely to engage in war, thus war powers should be carefully managed through the legislature.
A bipartisan coalition, including Jeffries, Senator Chuck Schumer, and Representative Thomas Massie, is planning to vote on a war powers resolution aimed at restricting U.S. actions in Iran without Congressional endorsement. Previous efforts to pass similar legislation faced hurdles following Trump’s targeted strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and his detention of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
