President Donald Trump on Monday sought to downplay the scale of the ongoing US-Israel war with Iran, describing it as a “mini-war” even as military operations continue.
Speaking at a White House event focused on small businesses, Trump said, “Our country is booming now, despite the fact that we’re in a — I call it a mini war.”
Trump has used varying terms for the conflict, at times referred to the confrontation as a “war,”while on other occasions he has opted to use a military “operation,” “excursion,” while other times using terms like “journey” and a “detour”.
Trump’s selection of language for the conflict was deliberate as under the War Powers Act of 1973, US presidents must seek congressional authorisation for sustained military engagements.
The President can carry military operation without the approval of US Congress for a 60–90 day limit.In March, the president said he didn’t like using the word “because you’re supposed to get approval.”
The administration maintains that the military action that began on February 28, is legally justified as a defensive response to an alleged threat from Iran. Iran has rejected that claim, insisting it neither posed an imminent threat nor possessed the intent to target US interests, and has instead accused Washington of carrying out an unlawful attack in violation of international law.
