US Senate tells Trump to seek approval for Iran war

The US Senate has approved a measure telling President Donald Trump to stop military action against Iran unless Congress authorises it.

The vote passed 50-48 after a small number of Republicans joined Democrats.

The House of Representatives passed the same measure earlier this month.

The resolution is mostly symbolic. It will not go to Trump for signature and does not have the force of law.

But it adds pressure on the White House as the conflict with Iran nears its fifth month and public support falls.

Trump dismissed the vote as “poorly timed and meaningless”.

The White House said a ceasefire agreed in April meant there were no active hostilities from which US forces had to withdraw.

The vote exposed new Republican divisions before November’s midterm elections.