Iran live updates: US intel assess Iran retains significant missile capability

The Senate did not pass an Iran War Powers Resolution introduced by Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., on Wednesday, marking the seventh time the Senate has failed to advance such a resolution in a vote of 49-50.

Another Republican has joined Democrats in voting to discharge the war powers resolution: Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska. She joined Republican Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, along with all Democrats except Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn., who once again voted with Republicans to block the resolution from advancing.

It comes as White House administration officials argue that the war in Iran is over given the April 8 ceasefire agreement, that President Donald Trump admitted was on massive life support, and congressional authorization is no longer necessary.

No Congress has ever used the War Powers Resolution to force the executive branch to end hostilities, so while these efforts will continue, they face uphill battles. Another avenue comes from Murkowski who has been working on an authorization for use of military force (AUMF) for weeks to kickstart the process on consideration over whether Congress should formally approve of military action against Iran.

Yet still, Republicans refusing to break with Trump appear to have little appetite for that method as well with Senate Majority Leader John Thune arguing earlier this week an AUMF is not necessary.

“I don't think it's necessary at the moment, offensive measures have been suspended now there for about a month…I don't think there will probably be a lot of support for an AUMF right now,” Thune said on Monday.

-ABC News' Lalee Ibssa and Allison Pecorin

The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement on Wednesday that it struck at least 40 alleged Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon across the previous 24 hours, as fighting there continues despite a ceasefire agreed between Israeli and Lebanese leaders last month.

IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued new evacuation orders for six villages in southern Lebanon on Wednesday morning, warning of imminent Israeli strikes there.

Hezbollah continued to target Israeli forces operating in southern Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to statements it released on Telegram detailing its latest attacks.

The IDF said Hezbollah launched "several rockets" toward Israeli positions in southern Lebanon on Wednesday morning.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claimed on Tuesday that "America's lack of goodwill and dishonesty" is to blame for the failure of peace talks to date, as quoted in a readout by the semi-official ISNA agency on Tuesday.

During a meeting with the Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Kravik in Tehran, Araghchi said the U.S. negotiating team had demonstrated an "overbearing approach, threatening and provocative rhetoric" in peace talks.

Araghchi also accused the U.S. of "repeated violations of the ceasefire with the continued blockade of Iranian seaports."

Iran, he said, is consulting on new regulations "related to the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with international law."

-ABC News' Will Gretsky

Ahead of his trip to China, President Donald Trump gave conflicting answers when asked on Tuesday if Beijing should intervene to help end the war with Iran.

"I don't think we need any help with Iran," he said at first. Minutes later, when Trump was asked if Chinese President Xi Jinping was the person who could revive the ceasefire, the president said he would like whatever help Xi can offer.

But, when pressed on Xi's possible help, Trump again said the U.S. did not need assistance. "They're defeated militarily, and they'll either do the right thing or we'll finish the job," Trump said.

Moments later, Trump added that he "wouldn't say Iran" is one of the topics he plans to discuss with Xi because the U.S. has it "under control."

"We're either going to make a deal or they're going to be decimated, one way or the other," Trump said.

Trump again dismissed economic concerns related to the ongoing war, suggesting inflation would fall 1.5% after the war ends amid what he predicted would be a "gusher of oil."

"And one way the other, it's going to work out very well. Going to work out very well. I think you have so much oil, you're going to have a gusher of oil like you've never had before," Trump said, once again stressing that he thought oil prices would have risen higher.

"And as soon as this war is over, which will not be long, you're going to see oil prices drop, and you're going to see a stock market, which is already at the highest point in history, go through the roof. You're going to see the golden age of America, frankly, and you're seeing it now," Trump said.

Asked about the progress of negotiations with Tehran, Trump said, "Well, we're going to see what happens. We're only making a good deal."

"But I believe that one way or the other, it's going to be very good for the American people, and I think actually very good for the Iranian people," Trump said.

-ABC News' Emily T. Chang and Fritz Farrow