Washington, June 5: US President Donald Trump on Thursday warned that any attack by Iran resulting in the deaths of American troops would provide sufficient justification for the United States to resume military action against the Islamic Republic.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump asserted that Iran’s military capabilities had been severely weakened and dismissed reports suggesting Tehran had performed well during the conflict.“If they killed US troops, it would be a good reason to do so,” Trump said when asked about the possibility of renewed military action.
He claimed that Iran’s naval and air capabilities had been largely destroyed and that the country’s military leadership had been eliminated.“There is no navy, no air force. We have wiped out their leadership,” Trump stated, while criticizing media reports that he said portrayed Iran as having fared well in the war.
The remarks came amid growing political debate in Washington over the administration’s authority to continue military operations against Iran.
Earlier on Wednesday, the US House of Representatives passed a resolution seeking to limit the president’s ability to undertake further military action against Iran without congressional approval. The measure was approved by a narrow margin of 215-208, with four Republican lawmakers joining Democrats in support of the resolution.
The legislation now moves to the Senate for consideration, though it is expected to face strong opposition from the White House and could ultimately be vetoed by the president.
Reacting to the vote, Trump sharply criticized both Democrats and the Republican lawmakers who backed the resolution. In a post on his Truth Social platform, he described the move as a “meaningless vote” and accused lawmakers of undermining his administration during ongoing efforts to conclude negotiations related to the conflict.
Trump argued that the vote came at a critical stage of discussions aimed at ending hostilities with Iran and questioned the motives of those supporting the measure. He further accused Democrats of placing political considerations above national interests and labeled the four Republican supporters of the resolution as “grandstanders.”
The House vote marks the first successful congressional challenge to Trump’s military policy since the United States and Israel jointly launched strikes against Iran earlier this year. Despite its passage in the House, the resolution faces an uncertain future in the Senate and would likely encounter a presidential veto if it reaches the Oval Office.
The developments underscore continuing tensions between the White House and Congress over war powers, as well as lingering concerns about the potential for renewed conflict between Washington and Tehran.