US President Donald Trump on Thursday said that any killing of American troops by Iran would be a “good reason” to restart military action, while also criticising a recent vote in the US House of Representatives aimed at limiting presidential war powers. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump claimed that US military actions had already severely weakened Iran’s defence capabilities and leadership structure.
He argued that Iran’s military strength had been significantly diminished and dismissed reports suggesting otherwise. “If they killed US troops, it would be a good reason to do so. There is no navy, no air force, we have wiped out their leadership. Then you read in the fake news that they are doing really well in the war, this is unbelievable,” Trump said. He further claimed that Iranian naval assets had been destroyed, adding that “we have taken pictures of them down there.”
His comments came a day after the US House of Representatives voted to restrict further military action against Iran without congressional approval. The measure passed by a narrow margin of 215–208, with four Republican lawmakers joining Democrats in support of the resolution. It now moves to the Senate for further consideration. The resolution represents the first successful congressional pushback against Trump since the US and Israel jointly launched military strikes against Iran on February 28.
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However, even if it clears the Senate, it is widely expected to face a presidential veto, given the administration’s opposition. Trump sharply criticised lawmakers who supported the measure, calling the vote “meaningless” and accusing opponents of undermining ongoing diplomatic efforts with Tehran. He argued that restrictions on military authority would weaken US negotiating leverage at a sensitive stage of talks. In a post on Truth Social, Trump intensified his criticism, calling the House vote “unpatriotic” and blaming Democrats and a small group of Republican defectors for what he described as political grandstanding.
He claimed the move reflected “Trump Derangement Syndrome” and insisted it could harm national interests during ongoing negotiations with Iran. The remarks underscore rising political tension in Washington over the extent of presidential authority in foreign military operations, particularly as the administration continues to pursue a mix of diplomatic engagement and strategic pressure on Iran amid heightened regional instability.
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