White House: Trump Can Use Military in Iran If Needed

The White House is reiterating that President Donald Trump retains the authority to use military force in Iran if he deems it necessary, keeping the door open to renewed action even as a fragile ceasefire holds and Congress pushes back.

What the White House is saying

Trump has consistently argued he does not need fresh congressional sign-off for Iran operations. Trump told reporters he considers seeking congressional authorization under the War Powers Act unconstitutional and falsely claimed other presidents had not done so.

The president has said the threat posed by Iran to the United States and its Armed Forces remains significant, a framing the administration is using to justify keeping the military option live.

Where the conflict stands

U.S. air and naval forces at President Trump’s direction struck Iranian nuclear facilities on June 21. Hostilities formally kicked off earlier in the year, and a ceasefire has been on-and-off since.

Hostilities have continued periodically, with a large deployment of U.S. forces in the region and U.S. naval ships patrolling the strait. That is the backdrop traders need to keep front of mind.

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Congress vs. the White House

The Senate has voted in favor of invoking its war powers to force Trump to halt his military campaign against Iran or seek congressional approval before any further action, after the House passed a similar measure 215-208 on June 3 and the Senate followed 50-48.

It is the first time both chambers of Congress have passed a resolution directing a president to remove US armed forces from a warzone under the War Powers Act, although it was not immediately clear how the votes might affect the conflict. Trump has signaled he will ignore it, setting up a legal and political standoff.

Market context

The legislative jockeying comes amid public opposition to the war and its effects, including higher gasoline prices from Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz after the U.S. and Israeli attacks. Any re-escalation would put crude, shipping, and defense names back in motion fast.

Options market and stocks to watch

Watch for crude and energy reactions in XOM and CVX on any headline tied to Strait of Hormuz flows or fresh strikes.

Watch defense primes LMT, RTX, and NOC for flow if the administration signals a return to kinetic operations.

Watch the broad tape via SPY for risk-off moves, and keep an eye on other geopolitical headlines that can shift positioning intraday.

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