Hegseth says deadline has been suspended for approval request for war with Iran

Hegseth was answering questions from Senate members, or upper room, Thursday, reports BBC.

Friday marks the 60th day since Trump officially announced Congress on the attacks on Iran on March 2nd. American law requires that a president of the “expect any use of the United States Armed Forces” within 60 days of such an announcement unless Congress allows for follow-up.

A senior administration official said the enmity with Iran has “concluded”, stressing that a ceasefire has been in force since early April.

Despite the ceasefire, both sides have not yet reached a long-term agreement through negotiations, although efforts to end the stalemate appear to be in progress.

Tehran has submitted a proposal for negotiations with the US through Pakistani mediators, Iranian state news agency IRNA reported. The agency did not publish details and it is not clear whether the proposal has reached the US.

Oil prices, which have increased significantly since Iran closed the Hormuz Strait, fell behind news of Tehran's latest bid.

This main maritime route still remains effectively closed, causing economic consequences worldwide.

Responding to the senators' questions Thursday, Hegseth said: “We are currently in a ceasefire, which in our understanding means that the 60-day deadline is suspended or stopped during the ceasefire. ”

The questionnaire, Democrat Senator Tim Kaine, answered: “I don't believe the law supports this. I think 60 days can end tomorrow and this will present a very important legal issue for administration. ”

The relevant part of American law, the resolution on War Compensations (War Powers Revolution), adopted decades ago, defines several requirements for a president “within sixty calendar days” by the use of American armed forces in combat.

It requires that the president complete the use of these forces unless Congress officially declares war or gives the president an extension, up to 30 days, for the immediate “withdrawal of” of troops.

This law was passed in 1973 to limit then President Richard Nixon's ability to continue the war in Vietnam.

A senior administration official Trump said: “for the purposes of the Resolution for War Competations, the hostilities that began on Saturday, February 28th, have ended. ”

The official stressed that the initial two-week ceasefire had been extended and that there has been no shootout between the US and Iran since 7 April.

CBS News, the American BBC partner, reported that administration officials are in active talks with members of Congress to obtain its authorization for the war.

In Iran's case, efforts led by Democrats in both Congress chambers to limit Trump have repeatedly failed. The Democrats have pledged to continue their efforts, saying these are an opportunity to register lawmakers' positions.

Most Republicans have rejected these efforts, though some have signaled they may reconsider their positions after the 60-day period.

The conflict erupted throughout the Middle East after the US and Israel launched widespread attacks on Iran, killing the country's supreme leader. Iran responded by launching attacks on Israel and the US Allied states in the Persian Gulf.

The US and Israel have led Western opposition to Iran's nuclear programme, claiming the country is seeking to develop a nuclear bomb something Tehran has strongly denied.

American media have provided different versions of the options Trump is currently considering.

Hegseth also clashed with democratic lawmakers in the House of Representatives during another session Wednesday.

During that session, one of the top defence officials found that operations in Iran have cost the US about $25 billion ($1.5 billion) to date.

Meanwhile, many Republicans on the Chamber Commission expressed support for the Pentagon, with Congressman Carlos Gimenez from Florida who said he believes Iran is a existential threat to the US.

When someone tells me for 47 years they want to kill us, I think I should take their words seriously,” he said. “Supports our efforts to ensure Iran never has a nuclear weapon. ”