Tehran [Iran], May 1 (ANI): Iran’s Supreme Court Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei said Tehran has maintained a continuous channel for talks with the United States despite ongoing military tensions.
“We do not welcome war, but we are not afraid of it,” the Chief Justice told state broadcaster IRIB, stressing that Iran would defend its dignity: “If our dignity is threatened, we will fight for our dignity; this is the firm position of our nation.”
Mohseni-Ejei described the Islamic Republic’s diplomatic posture as open to negotiations, but insisted any talks must be “based on logic and rationality.” He added that Iran would not accept imposed conditions: “We certainly do not accept imposition. An enemy that has not achieved any of its goals and objectives through aggression and threats cannot be imposing or demanding at the negotiating table either.”
Beyond diplomacy, the Chief Justice said Tehran’s judiciary is preparing a formal legal response to U.S. actions. “We will pursue and punish war criminals and obtain compensation from them,” he declared, indicating efforts to seek accountability and reparations.
The remarks come as the Trump administration maintains the U.S. is “not at war” with Iran, even as the military engagement reaches a critical legal threshold under the 1973 War Powers Resolution. That statute requires the president to withdraw U.S. forces from hostilities within 60 days unless Congress authorizes continued action.
House Speaker Mike Johnson told NBC News that congressional authorization is not required at this stage, arguing the U.S. is not engaged in active hostilities: “I don’t think we have an active, kinetic military bombing, firing, or anything like that. Right now, we are trying to broker a peace.” Asked about the 60-day limit, which expires this Friday, he reiterated, “We are not at war.”
President Trump notified lawmakers of the military campaign on March 2, making May 1 the key deadline. With no authorization secured, the situation has raised concerns of a constitutional standoff. The law allows a 30-day extension, but it is unclear whether the president will invoke it.
A central element of the White House’s legal argument is that a current ceasefire pauses the War Powers clock. U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth told a Senate hearing that, in their view, the ceasefire means the 60-day timer “pauses or stops.” Democrats have pushed back, saying the statute does not permit such a pause. Senator Tim Kaine said he does not believe the law would support that interpretation, warning the 60 days may run out imminently and present a significant legal question.
The debate is underscored by President Trump’s changing descriptions of the military action. After initial strikes on February 28, he warned that “the lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties. That often happens in war.” On March 9 he said “the war is very complete, pretty much,” later calling the mission both a war and a “little excursion.” In March he suggested avoiding the term “war” to evade the need for congressional approval, though by mid-April he said, “I had to go to a war.” In a recent Newsmax interview he referred to market gains “during the war, or the military operation, whatever you’d like to call it.”
The hostilities began on February 28 after coordinated strikes by the U.S. and Israel against Tehran and other regional targets, prompting Iran to strike U.S. bases and Israeli positions in response. Opposition lawmakers contend the administration faces precarious legal ground. Senator Adam Schiff said the 60-day mark may spur colleagues to act to end the engagement: “After two months of war, thirteen service members’ lives lost, and billions of dollars squandered, it is time we recognised that the price we have paid is already too high.” (ANI)
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