U.S. President Donald Trump officially informed Congress of the resumption of military operations against Iran, via a message sent to congressional leaders last Friday, which Al-Sharq reviewed on Monday, stating that U.S. forces carried out "defensive strikes against targets inside Iran" on July 7, in response to Tehran's attack on a number of commercial ships flying neutral flags while transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

The text of the message, which Al-Sharq reviewed, read: "I am writing to inform you of the military action that began on July 7, 2026, against the Iranian government."

Trump added: "I have previously informed Congress of changes to the global deployment of U.S. armed forces in the Middle East in response to Iranian threats, most recently in the semi-annual update signed on June 11, as well as in the two updates issued on June 12 and June 29 regarding military operations that began on June 9, June 26, and June 28, 2026, in accordance with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148)."

He continued: "I ordered a two-week ceasefire on April 7, which was later extended. During the ceasefire, my administration engaged in constructive and good-faith efforts to reach a diplomatic solution to Iran's malign behavior and end the threat Iran poses to the United States, our allies, and partners, as I previously informed Congress."

Violation of the Memorandum of Understanding

Trump said: "These efforts led to my signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Iranian government on June 17, which stipulates that the Iranian government will exert its utmost efforts to ensure the safe passage of commercial ships from the Arabian Gulf to the Sea of Oman. However, despite this commitment, Iran resumed attacking a number of commercial ships flying neutral flags while transiting the Strait of Hormuz between July 6 and 7."

The U.S. president continued: "Upon my direction, the U.S. armed forces, starting July 7, 2026, responded by conducting defensive strikes targeting sites inside Iran, including missile launch platforms, air defense systems, naval military assets, infrastructure supporting military operations, and command and control systems," noting that U.S. ground forces did not participate in the strikes.

Limited and deliberate strikes

Trump explained that these strikes are "limited, deliberate, planned, and executed in a manner designed to minimize civilian casualties to the greatest extent possible," noting that they focus on military capabilities that pose a threat to U.S. armed forces in the region, protecting U.S. territory, advancing U.S. national interests, as well as ensuring safe passage for commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, and defending our allies and partners in the region.

Trump noted in the text of the letter to Congress that "the U.S. armed forces remain in a position to take further action, as necessary and appropriate, to address any additional threats or attacks targeting the United States, its allies, or partners, and to ensure that the Iranian government ceases to pose a threat to the United States and its allies and partners."

Trump stated that he directed this military action consistent with his responsibility to protect Americans and U.S. interests at home and abroad, and to advance U.S. national security and foreign policy interests.

He clarified: "I acted based on my constitutional authority as Commander in Chief of the armed forces and as the Chief Executive responsible for conducting U.S. foreign relations," affirming that he submitted this report as part of his efforts to keep Congress fully informed, in accordance with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148), appreciating Congress's support for these military operations.