House votes to block Iran war; Israel, Lebanon agree ceasefire

Article excerpt

Congress and the Middle East shifted course simultaneously this week. The Republican-controlled House voted to prevent military action against Iran without congressional approval, with four Republicans breaking ranks to join Democrats in what outlets across the spectrum called a rare rebuke of President Trump's war powers. The same day, Israel and Lebanon agreed to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire after weeks of escalating cross-border strikes, though the deal conspicuously excluded Hezbollah, the militant group that has been a primary combatant. Hours after announcing the ceasefire, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that Israel would maintain operations in southern Lebanon with no immediate withdrawal plans. Fresh strikes followed, killing at least 11 people according to Lebanese officials. The timing underscores the fragility of the diplomatic push: Trump administration officials are simultaneously trying to negotiate with Iran, hold together an Israel-Lebanon truce, and manage a Congress increasingly skeptical of his military authority. Oil prices fell on the ceasefire news, reflecting market relief that the regional conflict might not disrupt energy supplies. But experts warn that without Hezbollah's explicit participation or compliance, the agreement faces durability questions that no ceasefire framework can resolve on its own.