Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asserted an ongoing ceasefire "pauses" the clock on the 60-day deadline to end hostilities in Iran or seek congressional approval.
The defense secretary testified on the eve of the 60-day mark of the war, a major statutory deadline for the president to withdraw forces or seek approval from Congress to continue the fight.
The War Powers Act requires that the Trump administration seek lawmakers' consent to continue hostilities beyond 60 days, a time limit that expires Friday.