US President Donald Trump's Republicans on Thursday blocked an attempt by the opposition Democrats to curb his authority to wage war in Iran, amid mounting frustration in Congress over his handling of the Middle East conflict.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries sought to pass a war powers resolution by "unanimous consent" – a procedure that bypasses the need to hold a recorded vote, provided no one objects – but was stopped, as expected, by the Republican majority's presiding officer.

The manoeuvre, staged during a short procedural session while lawmakers remain out of Washington, was largely symbolic, but underscored growing Democratic anger over a conflict that has not been formally authorised by US lawmakers.

Congressional Democrats have tried and repeatedly failed in recent months to pass war powers resolutions to force Trump to obtain lawmakers' authorisation before launching military operations, in both Venezuela and Iran.

Trump's threat early this week that "a whole civilization will die" intensified concern among Democrats, dozens of whom called for Trump's removal from office.

The 1949 Geneva Conventions on humanitarian conduct in war prohibit attacks on sites considered essential for civilians. (Agencies)



Edited by Azam Khan