The vote is largely symbolic

22:56, Wed, Jun 3, 2026 Updated: 23:28, Wed, Jun 3, 2026

President Trump Signs Executive Orders In The Oval Office

US President Donald Trump (Image: Getty)

House representatives on Wednesday, June 3 voted 215 to 208 in favour of the war powers resolution to force Trump to seek approval from Congress or withdraw US forces from the conflict.

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The US has been in conflict with Iran since February 28 when it carried out joint strikes with Israel on several key Iranian sites.

Iran retaliated by striking sites across the Middle East and closing the critical Strait of Hormuz trade route, through which 20% of global oil traded passes.

Although a fragile short-term ceasefire stands, the US and Iran have failed to reach a long-term peace agreement and tensions rose this week when the countries exchanged attacks targeting military facilities.

The House vote on Wednesday, in which four Republicans voted with Democrats, came almost two weeks after House Republicans cancelled an earlier scheduled vote because they lacked the votes to defeat it.

Wednesday's vote is, however, largely symbolic.

Any ‌resolution ⁠would have to be passed by the Senate in order to become affective.

It will also have to receive the two-thirds majorities in both chambers ​to override a veto from the president.