Dispute over the definition of conflict. Mike Johnson: The US is not at war with Iran

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Wednesday that the United States is not at war with Iran but is conducting a “very specific, clear mission and operation.” These words were spoken before Congress voted on a resolution to stop hostilities.

– We are not at war right now. We have been conducting a very specific, clear mission and operation for four days now, Johnson said during a press conference. He also added that it was Iran that declared war on the US. The Republican leader in Congress warned against voting for a resolution to prohibit warfare without congressional approval, saying the initiative's success could harm the security of America and its troops.

Democrats, led by their leader Hakeem Jeffries, argue that Trump's actions are unconstitutional because only Congress has the authority to declare war. Opponents of this view, in turn, believe that the current War Powers Resolution of 1973 only requires the administration to inform Congress about the use of force within 48 hours and prohibits fighting lasting longer than 60 days without additional congressional consent.

Although the White House calls the attacks on Iran “combat operations” instead of war, both the president and the Pentagon chief used the word “war” to refer to their actions. On Tuesday, this word was also unintentionally used by one of the Republican senators, Markwayne Mullin, who – when journalists pointed it out to him – immediately corrected himself, claiming that he had made a mistake.

– This is not a war. We have not declared war, he emphasized.

The first vote on the resolution intended to limit the powers of the Trump administration will take place on Wednesday in the Senate, while on Thursday the House of Representatives will vote on a similar bill. It is almost certain that the resolutions will not be adopted. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated on Tuesday that he did not believe the resolution was constitutional.

Congress may play a greater role if the White House asks for additional measures, including: replenish stocks of key types of ammunition that are quickly consumed by the army in Iran. According to Reuters, such a package could amount to USD 50 billion. Johnson said Wednesday he was “waiting for the White House and the Pentagon to let him know” on the matter, but said he was in dialogue with the administration about additional resources.

From Washington Oskar Górzyński (PAP)

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