US House votes to halt military action against Iran in symbolic move

The US House of Representatives, controlled by Republicans, on Thursday approved legislation directing President Donald Trump to halt any US military action against Iran, in the latest symbolic rebuke from Congress to the Republican president.

The vote passed by 214 to 208, with four Republicans joining Democrats in support of the war powers resolution.

The measure, introduced by Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal, instructs Trump "to cease the use of US armed forces in hostilities" against Iran unless authorized by Congress. However, the move is largely symbolic, as lawmakers have repeatedly passed similar resolutions in recent months without halting the conflict.

The four Republicans who voted in favor were Tom Barrett of Michigan, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Warren Davidson of Ohio, and Thomas Massie of Kentucky.

Pro-Trump Republicans hold a slim majority in both the House and Senate.

The Senate is expected to vote on a separate but similar resolution later on Thursday.

The vote comes after Trump announced intensified strikes on Iran and the deaths of more US service members. On Thursday, Trump vowed "major military punishment" for Iran and its Houthi allies after the Yemeni group targeted two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, expanding the Middle East conflict to a second major shipping lane.

The US military also launched another round of overnight airstrikes on Iran, prompting Tehran to fire on American bases in neighboring countries. This escalation comes two weeks after the effective collapse of a temporary truce that was intended to end the war.