Iran Warns of 'Long and Painful Strikes' as Trump Pushes Military Escalation Without Congressional Approval

Iran is ratcheting up threats of military retaliation, promising "long and painful strikes" on US positions if Washington renews attacks. Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei declared America has already suffered a "disgraceful defeat" and branded the US as "the world's bullies in the region." This comes as President Donald Trump faces a looming deadline to obtain congressional authorization for military action against Iran—a deadline he is widely expected to ignore.

The War Powers Act requires the president to secure Congress’s approval within 60 days of initiating hostilities. That clock started ticking when Trump notified lawmakers of strikes in early March. Yet Congress has not authorized the use of force, setting up a direct constitutional clash. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has condemned the administration for violating the law, urging Republicans to rein in the president’s reckless military adventurism.

Despite these legal constraints, the White House disputes the violation, claiming the ceasefire announced last month effectively paused the clock. Meanwhile, Iranian air defenses have been on high alert, firing on small drones over Tehran and activating sirens, signaling heightened tensions.

Trump himself has doubled down on escalation, boasting to Newsmax that the US has "destroyed everything" in Iran—but that it’s "not good enough." He insists the US must guarantee Iran never acquires nuclear weapons, warning that Tehran would use them if given the chance.

This dangerous brinkmanship is unfolding against a backdrop of diplomatic sabotage, economic warfare through sanctions, and the administration’s use of foreign conflict to distract from domestic scandals and consolidate power. The US embassy in Beirut has called for direct talks between Lebanon and Israel, highlighting the broader regional instability fueled by Trump’s aggressive posture.

As the US pushes allies like Australia to join a coalition securing the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s president decries the naval blockade as an extension of military operations against his country’s sovereignty.

The Trump administration’s refusal to respect constitutional limits on war powers and its reckless escalation risk dragging the US into a prolonged conflict with Iran—one that serves authoritarian ambitions at home while threatening peace and stability abroad. We will continue to monitor developments and hold this administration accountable for its dangerous games with war.