Trump Sets April 6 Power Grid Deadline, Posts Bridge Destruction Video; War Powers 60-Day Clock Expires April 28-29
The 60-day War Powers Resolution statutory clock, with no congressional authorization granted, expires around April 28–29, 2026.
MIDDLE EAST — Two deadlines now bracket the next phase of Operation Epic Fury. President Trump’s self-imposed April 6 pause on Iranian power grid strikes expires in three days.
The 60-day War Powers Resolution statutory clock, with no congressional authorization granted, expires around April 28–29, 2026.
On April 2, President Trump stated via Truth Social that Iran’s new leadership had requested a ceasefire. He conditioned any consideration on the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping, adding that until then strikes would continue.
Between those dates the administration has signaled that the campaign will intensify: Trump told the nation on April 1 that strikes will continue “extremely hard over the next two to three weeks” and that every Iranian electric generating plant will be hit “probably simultaneously” if no deal is reached.
The military picture through week five shows continued degradation of Iranian capabilities. CENTCOM reported that U.S. forces have struck more than 12,300 targets inside Iran as of early April 2026.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Dan Caine reported on March 31 that Iran has suffered significant naval losses with more than 150 vessels damaged or destroyed, that Iranian missile and drone launches have fallen to the lowest level since operations began, and that Iran’s defense industrial base is “nearly completely destroyed.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters on March 31 that objectives are achievable in “weeks, not months.” Negotiations through presidential envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary Rubio are what Hegseth assessed as “very real” and “gaining strength.”
Iran’s Foreign Ministry responded on April 2 that Trump’s ceasefire characterization is “false and baseless,” with Foreign Minister Araghchi stating via IRNA that Iranian forces are “prepared with their fingers on the trigger” and that “the trust level is at zero.”
Trump’s April 1 Address: Objectives Nearing Completion, Strikes to Continue
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