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Are we at war with Iran or not? Mike Johnson says no while Trump and Hegseth say yes

Johnson rejected the description of the Iran operation as a war and said Republicans could defeat a War Powers resolution.

Are we at war with Iran or not? Mike Johnson says no while Trump and Hegseth say yes
Image · The Independent

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Outlet credibilityThe Independent77/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 9, 2026
tl;dr

House Speaker Mike Johnson said the United States is not at war with Iran, contradicting President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who have described the operation as a war. Johnson also opposed a proposed War Powers resolution as lawmakers prepared to consider it.

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Mike Johnson R · LA-4
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Mike Johnson
R · LA-4

Speaker of the House, opposing a War Powers resolution and describing the Iran operation as a mission rather than a war

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who ordered strikes on Iran and described the operation as a war

Trump's version of this story ↗
Pete Hegseth
R · Secretary of Defense

Defense secretary who described the Iran operation as a war

Hegseth's version of this story ↗
Thomas Massie
R · KY-4

Representative involved in leading the House effort on a War Powers resolution

Ro Khanna
D · CA-17

Representative involved in leading the House effort on a War Powers resolution

Part of a bigger story

4 OUTLETS
Mike Johnson Says the U.S. Is Not at War With Iran

Outlets agree that Johnson said the United States is not at war with Iran amid U.S. strikes. Left-leaning outlets stress that other officials describe the operation as a war and highlight a lawmaker’s rebuttal. Right-leaning outlets focus on Johnson and fellow Republicans rejecting that characterization, along with his objection to a War Powers resolution.

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