President Donald Trump has strongly criticised a vote in the US House of Representatives seeking to order the withdrawal of American troops from the conflict involving Iran, describing the move as “unpatriotic” and harmful to ongoing negotiations with Tehran.
Trump made the remarks on Thursday through a post on his Truth Social platform, arguing that the House action came at a sensitive stage in diplomatic efforts aimed at ending hostilities.
“The vote came right in the middle of my final negotiations to end the war with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Trump wrote.
“Who would do such an unpatriotic thing? They know where the negotiations stand.”
The criticism followed a vote in the House on Wednesday in which lawmakers approved a measure directing the administration to withdraw US forces involved in the conflict.
The resolution passed by a narrow margin of 215 to 208 and will now proceed to the Senate for consideration.
Although the measure is largely symbolic and is expected to face a presidential veto if it reaches Trump’s desk, it represents a significant political development.
It marks the first time the Republican-controlled House has approved legislation seeking to compel the administration to scale back military operations against Iran since the conflict began three months ago.
The vote also exposed divisions within the Republican Party, as four Republican lawmakers joined Democrats in supporting the resolution.
Democrats have accused Trump of exceeding his constitutional authority by authorising military strikes against Iran alongside Israel in late February without first obtaining approval from Congress.
They argue that the action violated the constitutional requirement that Congress has the power to declare war.
Lawmakers backing the resolution also cited the War Powers Act, which requires presidents to seek congressional authorisation within 60 days of introducing US forces into hostilities.
According to Democratic lawmakers, that deadline has already passed, making the continuation of military operations legally questionable.
Supporters of the measure maintain that Congress must reassert its constitutional role in decisions involving military engagement and the deployment of American troops abroad.
Trump, however, dismissed the criticism and accused political opponents of placing partisan interests ahead of national priorities.
“Democrats would rather have our country fail than give me another, of many, victories,” he said.
The president also reserved criticism for Republican lawmakers who supported the measure, accusing them of seeking political attention.
“The four Republicans, that’s a whole other story — They’re grandstanders. They should be ashamed of themselves,” Trump stated.
The House vote comes amid growing debate in Washington over the scope of presidential war powers and the role of Congress in authorising military action.
While the measure faces significant obstacles before becoming law, its passage highlights increasing scrutiny of the administration’s handling of the conflict and growing calls for greater congressional oversight of US military operations.
The Senate is expected to consider the resolution in the coming weeks, although its prospects remain uncertain given Republican opposition and the likelihood of a presidential veto.
The development underscores continuing tensions between the White House and Congress as policymakers debate the future of US involvement in the conflict and broader Middle East security strategy.
