In the US Senate, a measure intended to stop the four-day military operations against Iran, conducted without explicit approval from Congress, failed. With a narrow margin of 53 to 47 votes, senators rejected the draft introduced by Democratic Senator Tim Kaine. While nearly all Democrats voted in favor of limiting the President's war powers, the Republican majority blocked the plan. Only Republican Rand Paul joined the Democrats, while Democrat John Fetterman voted against the measure.
The background to this parliamentary dispute is 'Operation Epic Fury,' a military offensive that began on February 28, 2026, and is being jointly conducted by the USA and Israel. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced at the time of the vote that the operation was now entering a second, even more intense phase. The goal is complete control over Iranian airspace within a few days. The attacks so far have already destroyed significant parts of Iran's missile infrastructure and naval forces.
President Donald Trump justified the action by stating that Iran was close to obtaining nuclear weapons and posed an immediate threat. Critics in the Senate, however, criticized the lack of a clear strategy and warned of a protracted conflict in the region. The military escalation follows failed negotiations regarding the Iranian nuclear program in Geneva and the death of the spiritual leader Ali Khamenei in an earlier attack.
