Tehran’s air defences were activated to counter small aircraft and drones late Thursday (April 30), as the White House signalled that it will not be reined in by a congressional deadline on the Iran war. The Tasnim and Fars news agencies reported that air defence systems, heard in some parts of the Iranian capital, were activated “to counter small aircraft and reconnaissance drones” for around 20 minutes, but that the situation had returned to “normal”.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration faced a looming midnight deadline to secure congressional authorisation for the war against Iran, setting up a clash between the White House and Congress.
Also Read: U.S. Battle of Wills on the U.S. war on Iran
The Trump administration is arguing that the war in Iran has already ended because of the ceasefire that began in early April, an interpretation that would allow the White House to avoid the need to seek congressional approval. The statement furthers an argument laid out by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth during testimony in the Senate earlier on Thursday (April 30, 2026), when he said the ceasefire effectively paused the war.
While the ceasefire has since been extended, Iran maintains its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, and the U.S. Navy is maintaining a blockade to prevent Iran’s oil tankers from getting out to sea.
