Tehran’s air defences were activated to counter small aircraft and drones late Thursday, as the White House signalled that it will not be reined in by a congressional deadline on the Iran war.
The Tasnim and Fars news agencies reported that air defence systems, heard in some parts of the Iranian capital, were activated “to counter small aircraft and reconnaissance drones” for around 20 minutes but that the situation had returned to “normal”.
US President Donald Trump’s administration faced a looming midnight deadline to secure Congressional authorisation for the war against Iran, setting up a clash between the White House and Congress.
The Trump administration argued that the 60-day clock to seek authorisation was effectively paused by a ceasefire announced last month.
“For War Powers Resolution purposes, the hostilities that began on Saturday, February 28 have terminated,” a senior administration official told AFP late on Thursday, noting that there has been no exchange of fire between the United States and Iran since the April 7 ceasefire.
