India, Sept. 23 -- WASHINGTON - A profound rupture has materialised within the Republican Party as conservative Congressman Thomas Massie formally launched an impeachment push against US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, citing egregious violations of congressional war powers regarding the ongoing conflict in Iran.

The explosive legislative manoeuvre forces a highly contentious lame-duck impeachment vote, creating a complex political bind for both Republican leadership attempting to maintain party unity and Democrats navigating the immediate aftermath of the midterm elections.

The impeachment effort stems directly from the administration's execution of the nearly seven-month-long war against the Islamic Republic, a conflict that has grown ...