US Resumes Iran Naval Blockade as Trump Triggers New 60-Day War Powers Fight
Updated
Updated · Deseret News · Jul 13
US Resumes Iran Naval Blockade as Trump Triggers New 60-Day War Powers Fight
3 articles · Updated · Deseret News · Jul 13
Summary
Tuesday marks the return of a U.S. naval blockade on traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports after CENTCOM said the measure, lifted on June 18, will be reinstated.
Trump told Congress on July 10 that military action had resumed, following a week of U.S.-Iran strikes and his declaration that the ceasefire was over.
That notice satisfies the War Powers Act’s 48-hour reporting rule but revives a legal fight over duration, because Trump’s March 2 notification means the earlier 60-day and 90-day windows have already run out.
Lawmakers now face whether to treat the latest strikes as a new operation that resets the clock or force a vote on approval, with Sen. John Curtis warning he could back limits unless the administration shows it is winding down.
The renewed fighting also clouds last month’s 2-page U.S.-Iran memorandum aimed at ending the war and curbing Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
How can military action be legal if the War Powers Act's 90-day limit has expired?
After a peace deal collapsed in weeks, can diplomacy with Iran ever be trusted?
Will Iran’s advanced drone arsenal be enough to break the new U.S. naval blockade?
Renewed U.S.-Iran Hostilities in July 2026: Blockade, Retaliation, and Global Repercussions
Overview
In July 2026, tensions between the United States and Iran sharply escalated after the U.S. reinstated a naval blockade of Iran’s ports and launched military strikes, ending the fragile ceasefire and starting a new phase of direct conflict. President Trump’s announcement of a 20% fee on cargo through the Strait of Hormuz marked a dramatic policy shift, aiming to cover U.S. security costs in the region. These actions triggered swift Iranian retaliation and widespread regional instability, highlighting how U.S. decisions directly led to renewed hostilities and a breakdown of previous diplomatic efforts.