Iran live updates: Senate fails to advance Iran War Powers Resolution for 6th time

DAVID BRENNAN, MEREDITH DELISO and JON HAWORTHFri, May 1, 2026 at 9:38 AM UTC

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President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting military, government and infrastructure sites.

Following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire, initial U.S.-Iran talks in Pakistan earlier this month failed to reach a peace deal.

Trump later announced the open-ended extension of the ceasefire and the continuation of the blockade until Iran's proposal is submitted and discussions are concluded "one way or the other."

Latest Developments

May 1, 5:38 AMFlotilla activists to be taken to Greece, Israel to detain 2 participants

Israel says most of the activists it detained in the Mediterranean near Crete, who were part of a flotilla attempting to break the blockade of Gaza, were taken to Greece. On Thursday, the Greek foreign ministry said it had "urged Israel to withdraw its vessels from the area and offered its diplomatic assistance by agreeing to host the passengers on its territory and ensure their safe return to their home countries." The Israeli Foreign Ministry said it would detain two of the members of the flotilla. Palestinian Saif Abu Keshek, whom Israel accuses of "suspected of affiliation with a terrorist organization, and Brazilian citizen Thiago Avila, whom Israel says is "suspected of illegal activity," will be taken to Israel for questioning. -ABC News' Jordana Miller

Apr 30, 4:34 PMTrump says Iran 'dying' to make dealPresident Donald Trump said in the Oval Office that Iran is "dying to make a deal," adding, "hopefully it can be worked out very soon," despite the fact that in-person negotiations with the regime are stalled after Trump cancelled the latest round of peace talks. When asked about the future of negotiations, Trump said, "Nobody knows what the talks are except myself and a couple of other people." “I mean, Iran is dying to make a deal. I can only tell you that. I don't want to get into it, but they got -- they cannot be nuclear other than that. But they are,” Trump said.

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images - PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks during an executive order signing in the Oval Office of the White House, April 30, 2026 in Washington.

-ABC News’ Nicholas Kerr, Emily Chang and Isabella Murray

Apr 30, 3:28 PMSenate fails to advance Iran War Powers Resolution for 6th time

For the sixth time, the Senate on Thursday failed to advance an Iran War Powers Resolution by a vote of 50-47. But for the first time, Republican Sen. Susan Collins, Maine, voted with Democrats on Thursday in favor of advancing the legislation. Similar to the last five attempts, Democrat Sen. John Fetterman voted against advancing the resolution and Republican Sen. Rand Paul voted in favor. "No more dodging, no more hiding, no more shirking," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor. "Republicans need to help us end this illegal, costly war. They should have done it long ago. The most important vote a senator can take is on matters of war and peace." Republicans, most of whom have been reluctant to break with Trump, have pointed to the 30-day extension under the War Powers Resolution as a way to move the goalpost on taking a vote on the administration’s operations. Friday will mark the 60-day statutory deadline to conclude the conflict. A White House official said the Trump administration is in "active conversations" with lawmakers about requesting Congressional authorization for the war in Iran. -ABC News’ Lalee Ibssa

Apr 30, 3:01 PMOver 2,500 killed in Lebanon by Israeli attacks since March 2, Lebanese health ministry saysIsraeli forces have killed at least 2,586 people and wounded another 8,020 in Lebanon since March 2, according to the latest tally from the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health.

Ariel Schalit/AP - PHOTO: Two Israeli soldiers operate in southern Lebanon, as seen from northern Israel, Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

At least 184 children are among the dead and at least 735 children were injured, the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health said.

Apr 30, 1:50 PMUS pitches foreign governments to join new coalition on Strait of HormuzThe Trump administration is seeking the participation of other countries to form an international coalition to help re-open the Strait of Hormuz. Dubbed the "Maritime Freedom Construct," the coalition would help with coordinating diplomatic efforts, including aligning on sanctions and information sharing to help with safe transit through the waterway, according to a U.S. official.

Reuters - PHOTO: Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, Musandam, Oman, April 27, 2026.

A cable sent this week by the State Department to posts around the world called on diplomats to announce the formation of the new coalition and "ask for partner participation" by Friday. "The MFC’s efforts will enhance maritime domain awareness and support the safe passage of commercial operators and their crews," a State Department official said. The Wall Street Journal first reported on the cable. Notably, the United Kingdom and France have already launched a multilateral effort involving at least 30 nations toward securing the strait that could eventually involve deploying military assets if a peace deal is reached. During a Pentagon press briefing last week, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed the U.K. and French effort as “silly." -ABC News’ Mariam Khan

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Apr 30, 1:35 PMWhite House in 'active conversations' with Congress about authorizing war

The Trump administration is in “active conversations” with lawmakers about requesting Congressional authorization for the war in Iran, according to a White House official. Friday will mark the 60-day statutory deadline to conclude the conflict, according to the War Powers Resolution of 1973. After the U.S. and Israel launched joint attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, President Donald Trump on March 2 formally submitted to Congress a war powers notification against the Iranian regime. Congress has not yet voted to authorize the war. Most Democratic members of Congress and several Republicans have long objected to Trump’s military action in Iran, stating the administration has not been forthcoming with lawmakers or the American public about their objectives. These leaders have also tried to curtail the military action by forcing several War Powers Resolution debates and votes. -ABC News’ Isabella Murray

Apr 30, 12:30 PMTrump in 'very strong position to ensure Iran never gets a nuclear weapon,' Hegseth saysDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth told a Senate committee at a hearing Thursday that the U.S.’s "military objectives have been stunningly effective."

Eric Lee/Reuters - PHOTO: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on U.S. President Donald Trump's FY2027 budget request for the Department of Defense on Capitol Hill in Washington, April 30, 2026.

"Take, for example, [Iran’s] defense industrial base," Hegseth said. "They are completely incapable, at scale, at any level of reconstituting the capabilities you referred to, which is a devastating result for any country, especially one whose ambitions are as wide as Iran's." "So we've put the president in a very strong position to ensure Iran never gets a nuclear weapon," Hegseth continued. "That's the takeaway that's been underneath every single aspect of this." -ABC News’ Chris Boccia and Luis Martinez

Apr 30, 7:27 AMMojtaba Khamenei says Iran will 'guard' nuclear, missile technologies

Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei released a new statement on Thursday to mark National Persian Gulf Day, in which he said the future of the Persian Gulf will be one "without America," per a reading of the statement by Iranian state media.Khamenei, who has not been seen in public since the start of the war, was elected to replace his slain father -- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei -- as supreme leader in March.In his statement, Khamenei said Iran "will guard" its nuclear and missile technologies despite external pressure from the U.S. and Israel. Tehran will also "secure the Persian Gulf region and eliminate the hostile enemy's misuse of this waterway," Khamenei said.

The supreme leader continued, "We share a 'co-destiny' with our neighbors in the vast expanse of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of ​​Oman, and the foreigners who greedily commit evil in it from thousands of kilometers away have no place in it except in the depths of its waters."

Vahid Salemi/AP - PHOTO: An Iranian worshipper holds a portrait of the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the late Ayatollah Khomeini, during Friday prayers at the Tehran University, April 24, 2026.

-ABC News' Maryam Moqaddam and Joe Simonetti

Apr 30, 4:41 AMOil benchmark again surges, hitting highs not seen since 2022

The price of oil again surged on Thursday, with a key benchmark climbing to prices not seen since 2022, as President Donald Trump again said the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz was expected to continue.Trump told Axios in a phone interview on Wednesday that he rejected an Iranian peace offer that would lift the naval blockade and open the strait but delay nuclear talks.

Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: This photo shows a view of the Valero Houston Refinery in Houston, Texas, on April 29, 2026.

Brent crude prices, a benchmark for global trading, climbed about 3% on Thursday, crossing briefly above $120 a barrel for contracts to purchase oil in June. The price rose as high as $126 per barrel but pared some of its gains by midmorning in London.Futures contracts for West Texas Intermediate climbed about 1% in early trading, briefly topping $110 per barrel for June purchases.Gas prices in the United States hit on Tuesday their highest level in four years, according to AAA.-ABC News' Kevin Shalvey

Apr 30, 3:10 AMIran commander threatens 'swift' action against US

Rear Adm. Shahram Irani, the commander of the Iranian Navy, said in a statement published by Iranian state media on Wednesday that Iran "will take swift and decisive action" in the event of resumed hostilities with the U.S. and Israel.Tehran, Irani said, has "closed the Strait of Hormuz from the Arabian Sea, and if they come forward, we will take swift and decisive action," as quoted by the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting organization.

Stringer/Reuters - PHOTO: Ships and boats in the Strait of Hormuz off Musandam, Oman, on April 29, 2026.

-ABC News' Will Gretsky

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