The US Senate rejected a war powers resolution that would have limited President Donald Trump's authority to wage war in Iran, falling one vote short in a 49-50 tally on Wednesday. Senator John Fetterman crossed party lines to vote with Republicans against the measure, while three Republican senators — Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Rand Paul — backed it alongside Democrats. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was absent, still recovering from a fall in June.
The vote followed a fresh wave of US airstrikes in Iran on Tuesday, launched in retaliation for an Iranian missile attack on a US base in Jordan. Trump had briefly suspended strikes last Friday to pursue negotiations before resuming the offensive. The conflict, which began on 28 February, has killed at least 18 US service members and wounded more than 450.
The Pentagon has told Congress it needs about $80bn more to sustain operations, adding to the $37bn already spent. An AP-NORC poll found roughly two-thirds of US adults consider the war not worthwhile.