The US House of Representatives on Thursday voted in favor of a resolution to curb President Donald Trump’s ability to wage war against Iran.
The vote was mostly split along party lines, with 224 in favour and 194 against in the Democrat-controlled legislature.
“Last week, in our view, the president — the administration — conducted a provocative, disproportionate attack against Iran, which endangered Americans,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters.
The resolution was put forward in response to Trump’s unilateral decision to assassinate Iran’s Quds Force leader Qassem Soleimani, considered one of the Islamic Republic’s most important battlefield commanders.
The aims to mandate congressional approval for any conflict with Iran, except in cases of an imminent attack against the US.
Neither the US nor Iran has declared plans for further military action.
Iran this week fired missiles at Iraqi bases housing American forces, injuring no-one, after the US last week killed a senior Iranian commander in a Baghdad drone strike.
Thursday’s measure directed the president to “terminate the use of United States Armed Forces” against Iran unless granted congressional authorisation.
It offered an exception when necessary to “defend against an imminent armed attack”.
Although the majority of Republicans in the lower house voted against the resolution, three backed it, including Matt Gaetz of Florida, who is considered one of Trump’s most ardent supporters in Congress.
The resolution will now head to the Senate, where Republicans command a three-seat majority. But two Republican Senators have already expressed their support for the resolution.
