Trump officials in talks with lawmakers about Iran war authorization ahead of deadline, White House official says

Trump administration officials are in active conversations with members of Congress about congressional authorization for the Iran war ahead of Friday's deadline, a White House official said. 

Under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, the president has 48 hours to notify Congress after entering the U.S. into new hostilities, then a 60-day clock begins. At the end of that 60-day clock, the president must terminate the use of force without explicit congressional approval. That clock runs out tomorrow, Friday. 

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Thursday it isn't necessary for Congress to vote to approve the Iran operation, because the U.S. is "not at war."

"I don't think we have an active, kinetic military bombing, firing or anything like that," he told NBC News. "Right now, we are trying to broker a peace."

Meanwhile, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said, "President Trump has been transparent with the Hill since before Operation Epic Fury began, and administration officials provided over 30 bipartisan briefings for members of Congress to keep them apprised of military updates."

"The President's preference is always diplomacy, and Iran wants to make a deal," she said.