2026 Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iran
Summary
What This Bill Does
This joint resolution is an authorization for use of military force against Iran for 2026. It authorizes the President to use U.S. Armed Forces to demolish, degrade, or defeat Iran's nuclear weapons program and delivery systems, address imminent threats to U.S. forces or facilities from Iran or Iranian-backed forces, enforce a blockade of Iranian ports, and ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. It requires reports to Congress at least every 30 days covering actions, other legal authorities, policy justifications, expected scope and duration, and civilian and military casualties. The authority sunsets on July 30, 2026, with a limited 30-day wind-down period.
Who Benefits and How
The President benefits from express congressional authorization for defined military operations against Iran. Department of Defense planners benefit from clearer statutory authority for strikes, blockade operations, and maritime protection. U.S. facilities in the region benefit if the authorization reduces imminent threats from Iran or Iranian-backed forces. Allied vessels using the Strait of Hormuz benefit if U.S. forces secure safe passage through the waterway.
Who Bears the Burden and How
United States service members bear increased deployment and combat risk under the authorization. Iranian nuclear program personnel and facilities are direct targets of authorized force. The President must send recurring 30-day reports to Congress on operations, legal authority, justifications, duration, and casualties. Iranian port operators face blockade risk if the President uses the covered authority.
Key Provisions
- Authorizes force to demolish, degrade, or defeat Iran's nuclear weapons program and delivery systems.
- Authorizes responses to imminent threats against U.S. forces or facilities from Iran or Iranian-backed forces.
- Authorizes blockade enforcement against Iranian ports and safe-passage operations through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Requires 30-day reports to Congress and sunsets the authority on July 30, 2026 with a limited wind-down period.
Evidence Chain:
This summary is generated from the full bill text using AI analysis. Expand "Detailed Analysis" below for identified beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
At a Glance
What This Bill Does
Authorizes the President to use United States Armed Forces against Iran's nuclear weapons program, Iranian-backed threats, Iranian port operations, and Strait of Hormuz passage, with reporting and a July 30, 2026 sunset.
Key Policy Areas
Foreign Affairs, Defense, War Powers
Primary Purpose
Authorizes the President to use United States Armed Forces against Iran's nuclear weapons program, Iranian-backed threats, Iranian port operations, and Strait of Hormuz passage, with reporting and a July 30, 2026 sunset.
Policy Domains
Resolution provisions
Identified Gains
- President of the United States
- Department of Defense planners
- U.S. regional facilities
- Allied vessel operators
Identified Costs
- United States service members
- Iranian nuclear program personnel
- Presidential reporting staff
- Iranian port operators
Sponsors
Tom Barrett
R-MI | Primary Sponsor
Legislative Progress
In CommitteeReferred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Introduced in House
Stakeholder Effects
cui bono?How this legislation distributes effects. Mention counts reflect frequency, not effect magnitude.
Iranian nuclear program personnel, President of the United States
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
- "president"
- → President of the United States
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology