Iran war live: Iran’s top diplomat heads to China as war drags on

The U.S. House has voted a third time to end the war in Iran, with a vote of 220-204, marking a similar outcome to previous attempts this summer. Democrats largely supported the resolution to remove President Trump's ability to continue military actions without congressional approval. Congressman Seth Moulton, a Democrat from Massachusetts, emphasized the need for tough questions to be asked in Congress, in line with the Constitution.

Republican Congressman Brian Mast questioned why Democrats wouldn't want to remove military resources from the region, stating that Iran remains a threat. This vote likely marks the last House vote on the Iran war before the midterms, where the conflict is a significant political issue. The war, launched by Trump in February, has been ongoing for nearly seven months, with frequent missile strikes causing regional turmoil.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates the war has cost over $38 billion so far, with monthly costs projected between $2 billion and $3 billion depending on fighting intensity. While Trump has promised not to involve the U.S. in foreign wars, the conflict is negatively impacting the Republican Party. Most Americans, according to a July AP-NORC poll, believe the war in Iran is not worth fighting.

Congress has attempted to alter the war's course multiple times, but these efforts have been largely unsuccessful due to Trump's veto power. The House and Senate have both approved war powers resolutions, but these have been swiftly reversed by Trump. The Constitution grants Congress the authority to declare war, but also allows the president, as commander in chief, to engage in military actions.

The War Powers Act, established after Vietnam, aims to limit the president's power by requiring congressional approval for sustained military actions after 60 or 90 days. Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledged the need to lower gas prices, attributing a potential decrease to the end of the Iran conflict, although he believes the situation is entering a new phase with potential allies helping stabilize the region.