Federal Policy

U.S. and Iran Exchange Strikes; Trump Signals Openness to Negotiations

The simultaneous military escalation and diplomatic signaling by the Trump administration creates a dual-track situation whose outcome will depend heavily on whether formal negotiating channels...

The Congressional Times · July 9, 2026

The United States and Iran exchanged military strikes as of July 9, 2026, according to CBS News reports citing correspondent Ramy Inocencio. The exchanges occurred in advance of burial services for Iran's former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to the same CBS News report. Oil prices rose in response to the renewed fighting, per CBS News market coverage dated July 9, 2026.

President Trump, speaking publicly on July 9, 2026, stated that Iran had contacted him and that the country wants to 'make a deal so badly,' according to CBS News reporting by correspondent Olivia Rinaldi. Trump also issued a warning that the United States would conduct 'much worse' strikes if Iran engages in further attacks on ships, per the CBS News report citing Ramy Inocencio.

The strikes followed what CBS News described as a breakdown in negotiations between the two countries. The report did not specify the location of the exchanges, the assets involved, or the precise sequence of initiating strikes. The U.S. Department of Defense and the State Department had not, as of publication time, released official statements available in a publicly accessible federal record confirming operational details.

The direct U.S. policy implications include potential invocation of executive war powers, which would require a congressional notification under the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. § 1541–1548) within 48 hours of introducing forces into hostilities. As of publication, no such notification has been publicly confirmed in the congressional record. Any formal arms embargo, sanctions adjustment, or diplomatic agreement with Iran would require disclosure through the State Department and potentially Senate ratification under Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution depending on its structure.

What remains unknown: the specific military assets deployed, the legal authorization framework cited by the administration for the strikes, the identity and channel of the Iranian official who reportedly contacted President Trump, and whether any formal negotiating framework has been proposed. A War Powers notification filed with congressional leadership, a State Department press briefing transcript, or a Department of Defense press release would provide verified answers to each of these open questions.

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