Iran War Hits 60 Days: 13 US Troops Killed, Hormuz Shut
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- U.S. and Israeli forces launched joint military operations against Iran on February 28, 2026, with the conflict surpassing 60 days by late April.
- 13 U.S. service members have died since the first strikes, with hundreds more wounded, according to the article's account.
- Iranian counterstrikes in the Persian Gulf, combined with a U.S. naval blockade, have effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz — a key oil trading route — sending global energy prices soaring.
- The Trump administration is attempting to broker a new nuclear deal with Iran during a temporary ceasefire.
- President Trump has repeatedly labeled the conflict a "war" despite never receiving congressional approval, a gap that has fueled disputes among lawmakers over the operation's length and legitimacy.
- The War Powers Act of 1973 requires the president to notify Congress within two days of launching military action, a provision the article flags as central to the ongoing authorization fight.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is quoted in related video coverage asserting, "I believe we do have the support of the American people."
Why it matters: Thirteen dead and a key global oil chokepoint paralyzed — without Congress ever voting — tests the constitutional limits of presidential war powers while energy markets absorb the shock. Lawmakers on both sides now have a concrete political fight over whether the 60-day mark triggers mandatory withdrawal proceedings under the War Powers Act.
