CONGRESS PASSES WAR POWERS MEASURE ON IRAN CONFLICT

Congress has passed a war powers measure relating to the conflict with Iran, according to BBC News. The resolution marks the first time Congress has taken such action on the matter. BBC News characterises the resolution as largely symbolic, though it adds pressure on the White House to end the conflict.

The Pentagon has requested approximately $80 billion from Congress to cover the cost of the Iran war, according to reporting from The Independent. Donald Trump has claimed that Americans are "demanding" $80 billion in continued funding for the conflict. Company executives across America's three largest cruise lines have stated that the Iran war has impacted bookings, citing what Carnival described as "extreme geopolitical volatility".

Iran's president is in Pakistan to meet with mediators, according to The Independent. Negotiations between Tehran and Washington are proceeding on ending the war. The timing of the congressional measure coincides with these diplomatic efforts between the two nations.