U.S. President Donald Trump has informed Congress that military operations against Iran, which began on February 28, have ceased. In a letter dated May 1, Trump indicated that American forces would remain in the region despite the cessation of hostilities.
In his correspondence, Trump noted that there had been no military exchanges between the U.S. and Iran since April 7. He stated,
“The hostilities that began on February 28, 2026, have stopped. Despite the success of U.S. operations against the Iranian regime and ongoing efforts to ensure lasting peace, the threat posed by Iran to the United States and our armed forces remains significant.”
Furthermore, he emphasized that the U.S. Department of Defense would continue to adjust military presence in select countries within the region. The President asserted that military personnel would respond to threats from Iran and its allied forces as necessary.
Trump referenced a confidential annex to the letter that purportedly provides a more comprehensive overview of the situation. According to U.S. law, the President must seek Congressional approval for military action beyond 60 days unless responding to an immediate threat.
The conflict with Iran commenced on February 28, with the timeline for Congressional approval expiring on May 1, coinciding with Trump’s notification to lawmakers.
Background of the Conflict
On February 28, Israel conducted an airstrike on Tehran, prompting Trump to declare a significant military operation aimed at neutralizing perceived threats from the Iranian regime. He accused Iran of financing and training militant groups in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Palestine.
The operation aimed to dismantle Iran’s missile industry and naval capabilities to prevent global destabilization. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) responded by launching missiles and drones towards Israel and attacking U.S. military bases in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
On the same day, Trump announced the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, a claim later confirmed by the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). The following day, the IRGC declared the initiation of a major offensive against Israel and U.S. bases.
Trump subsequently called for a complete overhaul of Iran’s leadership, suggesting he had potential candidates for a new leader. On March 8, Iran’s Assembly of Experts appointed Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the deceased leader, as the third Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic.
On March 26, Trump announced a temporary halt to the destruction of Iranian energy facilities until April 6, later extending the deadline due to a lack of progress in negotiations.
Trump threatened to obliterate critical infrastructure in Iran, warning of severe repercussions for the Iranian populace and potential regional instability. On April 6, Iran presented a ten-point plan for ending the conflict through negotiations via Pakistan.
On April 7, Trump agreed to suspend airstrikes against Iran for two weeks, contingent upon the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. He described the ceasefire as reciprocal and indicated that Iran’s ten-point proposal could serve as a basis for discussions.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated that safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz within the two-week timeframe would require coordination with Iranian armed forces and consideration of technical limitations.
President Trump has declared an end to military actions against Iran while maintaining a U.S. military presence in the region. The cessation follows a series of escalations and negotiations aimed at stabilizing tensions between the two nations.