US Senate backs Trump war powers as Iran launches missile barrage at Israel

Published: March 5, 2026 . The English Chronicle Desk . The English Chronicle Online

As the Middle East conflict intensifies, the United States Senate has effectively backed President Donald Trump’s authority to continue military operations against Iran after voting down a resolution that would have limited his war powers. The decision came as Iran launched a new wave of missiles toward Israel, dramatically escalating the regional crisis and raising fears of a broader war.

The Senate vote, held late on Wednesday in Washington, rejected a bipartisan resolution aimed at forcing the president to obtain explicit congressional approval before continuing military strikes against Iran. The measure failed by a narrow 53-47 margin, with most Republicans voting to preserve Trump’s authority as commander-in-chief while nearly all Democrats supported the attempt to restrict his powers.

The resolution had been introduced amid growing concern in Congress that the United States was sliding into a large-scale conflict without formal authorisation. Supporters argued that the Constitution grants Congress the sole authority to declare war, and they warned that unchecked presidential power could lead to another prolonged military campaign in the Middle East. Opponents, however, insisted that the president must retain flexibility to respond quickly to threats from Iran and its regional allies.

The vote effectively allows the Trump administration to continue its expanding air and naval campaign against Iranian targets. The conflict began with coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian military infrastructure and has since evolved into a multi-front confrontation involving missile exchanges, drone attacks and clashes across several countries in the region.

Almost simultaneously with the Senate decision, Iran launched a fresh barrage of missiles toward Israel, triggering air-raid sirens across multiple Israeli cities and sending millions of residents into shelters. Israeli defence systems intercepted many of the incoming projectiles, but authorities warned that the threat remained severe as Iranian forces continued to test the country’s air-defence network.

Israeli officials described the missile attacks as one of the largest waves since the conflict erupted days earlier. The barrage followed ongoing Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military facilities and strategic sites, including missile bases and security installations. According to regional observers, the exchange of strikes has pushed tensions to levels not seen in decades and raised the possibility of a wider regional confrontation involving additional state and non-state actors.

The Senate debate highlighted deep divisions within the United States over the war’s objectives and legality. Republican lawmakers largely defended Trump’s actions, arguing that Iran posed an immediate threat to American forces and allies. Some senators warned that limiting the president’s authority during an active conflict could weaken U.S. deterrence and embolden hostile actors in the region.

Democrats, meanwhile, accused the administration of bypassing Congress and risking a conflict without a clear strategy or defined end goal. Several lawmakers insisted that the United States must not repeat the mistakes of past wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, where military operations expanded rapidly without sufficient oversight or planning. The proposed resolution sought to require the administration to withdraw U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran unless Congress formally authorised continued involvement.

Despite those concerns, the measure failed to attract enough Republican support to pass. Analysts say the outcome reflects the narrow political balance in Washington and the strong influence of national security arguments during a time of escalating conflict. Even if the resolution had passed, it would likely have faced a presidential veto, which would have required a two-thirds majority in both chambers of Congress to override.

Beyond Washington, the conflict continues to ripple across the broader Middle East. Iranian missiles have targeted Israeli cities while retaliatory strikes by the United States and Israel have hit multiple locations inside Iran. Military activity has also affected neighbouring countries, with missile interceptions and heightened security alerts reported across parts of the region.

The confrontation is also beginning to impact global markets and energy supplies. Shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil corridors, have been disrupted by the growing military presence and security concerns. Economists warn that prolonged instability could push energy prices higher and destabilise global trade flows.

Humanitarian concerns are also mounting. Civilian casualties in Iran have reportedly climbed into the hundreds, while thousands of residents across Israel have been forced into shelters during repeated missile attacks. Governments in Europe and North America have begun evacuating citizens from the region, reflecting fears that the conflict could expand further.

As the war enters its next phase, the Senate’s decision signals that Washington is prepared, at least for now, to give the president broad authority to pursue military action against Iran. Whether that backing will continue as the conflict evolves—and as casualties mount—remains uncertain. For the moment, however, the political message from Capitol Hill is clear: the United States is staying the course in a conflict that is rapidly reshaping the strategic landscape of the Middle East.

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