The US Senate has taken a rare bipartisan step to restrict the President’s authority to conduct military operations against Iran without explicit congressional approval. The resolution, which passed with support from four Republicans alongside Democrats, marks a significant political rebuke of President Donald Trump’s approach to Iran policy.
The legislative action comes amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran over a 14-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) negotiated under the Trump administration. Central to the dispute are differing interpretations of the agreement’s provisions, particularly concerning future nuclear inspections, Iran’s missile program, and the administration of the Strait of Hormuz.
President Trump, posting on his Truth Social platform, asserted that Iran had “fully and completely agreed” to extensive nuclear inspections “long into the future,” claiming this would ensure “nuclear honesty.” He also emphasized that failure to accept the terms would halt further negotiations. However, Iranian officials rejected these claims. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated that any final deal would depend on the implementation of five key conditions, including cessation of military operations on multiple fronts, lifting the US naval blockade, reopening safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, waivers on Iranian oil exports, and unfreezing of Iranian assets. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian specifically ruled out discussions of Iran’s missile program within the MoU.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio began a diplomatic tour of the Gulf region, including stops in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain, aiming to reassure America’s Gulf allies amid criticism that the MoU could provide financial relief to Iran. In Abu Dhabi, Rubio stressed that regional issues such as the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah would be addressed separately from the US-Iran agreement. He highlighted cooperation with Lebanon’s sovereign government as key to future peace prospects.
The tensions over Lebanon underscore another major obstacle in the broader regional negotiations. Iran demands Israel cease military operations and withdraw from southern Lebanon, while Israel insists on the disarmament of Hezbollah. The fifth round of Lebanon-Israel talks continued in Washington, with Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter calling on Iran to disengage from Lebanon.
Observers note that Iranian negotiators have sought to understand President Trump’s unconventional diplomatic style. Reports indicate they have consulted psychologists to anticipate his unpredictable public statements, which often involve extreme demands and threats—as outlined in Trump’s 1987 book, The Art of the Deal. Experts suggest these tactics have yet to secure additional concessions from Iran.
The President’s use of social media has complicated negotiations within Tehran, with pragmatic officials finding it difficult to build trust among hardliners wary of the US. Earlier threats to bomb Iranian power stations and ominous warnings of broad destruction failed to intimidate Iran, which viewed such statements as negotiation gambits. In a recent incident, contradictory messages from Trump and Iranian officials over control of the Strait of Hormuz led to confusion and stirred opposition forces within Iran.
The evolving dynamics suggest that while the US Senate seeks to impose limits on unilateral presidential military action, diplomatic efforts with Iran and broader regional tensions remain highly complex and unsettled.