Pakistan, May 1 -- The Trump administration has argued that its military operation in Iran has effectively been "terminated" following a ceasefire, a move that could allow the White House to avoid seeking formal congressional approval under US law.

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According to a senior administration official, the US position is that hostilities that began on February 28 have ended because no direct exchanges of fire have taken place since a ceasefire came into effect on April 7.

The official said that for the purposes of the 1973 War Powers Resolution, the conflict is considered concluded, even though the ceasefire remains in place and has been extended amid ongoing regional tensions. ...