Washington: The US Senate has rejected a resolution that sought to require President Donald Trump to end military operations against Iran unless Congress formally authorizes continued hostilities.

The measure was defeated by a narrow 50–49 vote, with senators largely divided along party lines. Four Republican senators joined Democrats in supporting the resolution, while one Democrat voted against it.

The resolution had previously passed the House of Representatives in July, but it needed approval from the Senate to move forward. Its defeat means the congressional effort to use the War Powers Resolution to restrict the president’s military authority has not succeeded in this latest attempt.

The vote comes as the conflict involving Iran continues to generate debate inside the United States. Members of Congress remain divided over the scope of presidential authority to conduct military operations without a new authorization from lawmakers.

Supporters of the Senate resolution argued that Congress should have a greater role in decisions involving a prolonged military conflict. They said lawmakers should determine whether US forces should remain involved in the war.

Opponents of the measure argued that the president, as commander in chief, has authority to direct military operations and that removing US forces while the conflict remains active could create additional security risks.

Four Republicans — Susan Collins, Rand Paul, Thom Tillis and Lisa Murkowski — voted in favor of the resolution. Democratic Senator John Fetterman voted against it.

The Senate vote was also politically significant because the conflict has become an increasingly prominent issue ahead of the US midterm elections.

The war has contributed to higher energy and fuel costs, making the economic impact of the conflict an important domestic political issue. Rising prices have added pressure on lawmakers as they prepare for the November elections.

The latest vote was the 14th time the Senate has considered a War Powers Resolution related to the Iran conflict since US and Israeli forces began military operations against Iran earlier this year. Previous efforts have also faced significant obstacles.

Congressional debates over the conflict have highlighted a longstanding constitutional question in the United States: how military authority should be divided between the president and Congress.

The US Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war, while the president serves as commander in chief of the armed forces. The War Powers Resolution was created to establish procedures for congressional oversight of presidential military action.

The Trump administration has maintained that the president has the authority to conduct the current military campaign. Supporters of the administration have argued that military decisions must take into account ongoing threats and operational requirements.

Democratic lawmakers have continued to press for a greater congressional role and have indicated that they intend to keep raising the issue.

The Senate’s rejection does not end congressional debate over the Iran conflict. Lawmakers can use other legislative and budgetary mechanisms to challenge or influence the administration’s military policy.

For now, however, the vote leaves the administration without a new congressional restriction from this particular resolution.

The outcome also illustrates the continuing political divisions in Washington over the Iran war, presidential military authority and the economic consequences of the conflict.

As the conflict continues, further congressional votes and political debate over the United States’ military role are expected.