US treats Iran war as reset under ceasefire, avoids Congress approval - AP

Lisa Murkowski a Republican senator from Alaska said on Thursday she plans to introduce an Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) on Iran when Congress returns in May if the administration does not present a “credible plan.”

Speaking on the Senate floor, Murkowski said that when US service members are deployed, Congress and the public deserve clarity on the objectives and strategy.

Murkowski criticized recent War Powers resolutions pushed by Democrats, saying they sought to halt military action without outlining a clear path forward, while an AUMF would instead formalize and define congressional authorization.

The US embassy in Beirut said on Thursday Lebanon is at a “crossroads,” arguing that the country has a “historic opportunity” to reclaim sovereignty and shape its future as an independent state.

In a post on X, the embassy said direct engagement between Lebanon and Israel could mark the beginning of a “national revival,” noting that the two countries “should have never been at war.”

"A direct meeting between President Aoun and Prime Minister Netanyahu, facilitated by President Trump, would give Lebanon the chance to secure concrete guarantees on full sovereignty, territorial integrity, secure borders, humanitarian and reconstruction support, and the complete restoration of Lebanese state authority over every inch of its territory—guaranteed by the United States," the post said.

"This is Lebanon’s moment to decide its own destiny, one which belongs to all its people. The United States is ready to stand with Lebanon as it seizes this opportunity with confidence and wisdom. The time for hesitation is over," the post added.

Hanna Neumann, a member of the European Parliament said on Thursday the Iranian political system is “at its end,” citing visible internal divisions within the Islamic Republic.

Speaking in remarks cited by Frankfurter Rundschau, Neumann pointed to what she described as growing fractures inside Iran’s political structure, arguing that recent developments have exposed deeper instability.

She said these divisions are becoming increasingly visible, weakening the cohesion of the ruling system.

The Kingdom of Bahrain called on Iran on Thursday to refrain from interfering in its internal affairs, according to a statement published by the Bahraini foreign ministry.

"Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa affirmed that Iran must cease interfering in the internal affairs of Bahrain and the Gulf states, stressing that Bahrain has been subjected to a heinous Iranian aggression targeting its security, stability, and the safety of its people," the statement said.

Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that Israeli military action against Iran could resume soon, saying the broader campaign against Tehran is not yet over.

Speaking at a ceremony for the incoming Israeli Air Force commander, Katz said Iran had been pushed “years backward” by recent strikes, but suggested further operations may be necessary to achieve long-term strategic goals, Fox reported.

Katz said Iran had suffered “extremely severe blows” over the past year across multiple fields, but added that Israel may soon need to act again to ensure those gains are secured.