President Donald Trump has referred to the U.S. conflict with Iran as a "military conflict" rather than a full-scale war, calling it "small potatoes" in comparison to past conflicts like the Vietnam War. During a press briefing in the Oval Office, Trump stated that the U.S. had "essentially taken over" Iran and claimed the country had been prevented from acquiring a nuclear weapon. He also said that U.S. satellite intelligence would be able to detect any future threats from Iran immediately. When questioned by ABC News reporter Rachel Scott about the record-setting deployment of U.S. service members, Trump repeatedly asked, "How long were we in Vietnam?" He criticized the Senate's June vote on the conflict as "poorly timed and meaningless" and downplayed the strategic importance of the Hormuz Strait, a major global oil shipping route. Trump suggested that new pipelines and shipping routes would replace the strait’s role in global energy transport. Critics argue that Trump has bypassed legal requirements by continuing the conflict without formal approval from Congress. Both the House and Senate have passed resolutions urging the president to seek authorization, but Trump has rejected them. The widow of John A. Klinner, an airman who died in the campaign against Iran, said she has been denied some military benefits due to the lack of a formal war declaration. Trump expressed sympathy for her situation but did not directly address her claim. The U.S. Constitution and the War Powers Act require the president to seek congressional approval before engaging in prolonged military action. Trump's administration has faced legal and political challenges over its handling of the conflict with Iran, with opponents arguing that the lack of a formal declaration has led to uncertainty and complications for service members and their families.