Ceasefire with Iran 'pauses' 60-day Congress clock: Hegseth

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Thursday he believes the ceasefire with Iran "pauses" a 60-day clock on congressional authorization for war.

Hegseth made the remarks at a congressional hearing in response to a question from Democratic Senator Tim Kaine on whether the Trump administration would seek authorization from Congress for the war with Iran once the 60-day mark is reached, as required by law.

"Ultimately, I would defer to the White House and White House counsel on that. However, we are in a ceasefire right now, which our understanding means the 60-day clock pauses or stops in a ceasefire," Hegseth said.

"I do not believe the statute would support that," Kaine said. "I think the 60 days runs (out) maybe tomorrow, and that's going to pose a really important legal question for the administration there."

The conflict began on February 28, when Israel and the US launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities, killing Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, senior commanders, and civilians. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and US assets in the Middle East, and by tightening control over the Strait of Hormuz.