Pro-Israel Democrat Sen. Fetterman helps block resolution to end US-Iran war

A Democratic senator helped seal the Senate's defeat of a resolution to end the US war with Iran on Thursday.

The chamber voted 49-50 against the measure, which would have directed President Donald Trump to end hostilities with Iran unless they were authorised by Congress.

Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman was the only Democrat to vote against it, while three Republicans sided with Democrats in support of the resolution.

Fetterman is a strong supporter of Israel and met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this week in Washington DC.

In videos shared online, Fetterman was seen wearing a hoodie and shorts as he told Netanyahu it was a "supreme honour" during his time in the Senate to "proudly stand with and for Israel."

Thursday's vote marked the 13th time the Senate has considered legislation aimed at limiting the president’s war powers over the Iran war.

Republicans have blocked similar efforts on 11 previous occasions. In June, however, both chambers of Congress approved a nonbinding concurrent resolution calling on Trump to withdraw US forces from the conflict. Because it was a concurrent resolution, it did not require Trump signature.

The vote underscored how far Trump’s war policy has become a point of friction with Congress, even among some Republicans. Although the measure was defeated, the close margin and cross-party defections showed growing unease over the president’s handling of the Iran conflict and lawmakers’ willingness to challenge it.

Unlike the US, Israel has yet to resume any military operations against Iran but has warned that it could do so if attacked.