President Trump said he doesn’t believe he needs Congress’s approval to take military action against Iran, bucking Democratic leaders who insist he does.

In a Monday interview with The Hill, Trump said that he believes he has the executive authority to make the decision but noted that he is keeping Congress in the loop amid ongoing tensions between the two countries.

“We’ve been keeping Congress abreast of what we’re doing,” Trump said. “And I think it’s something they appreciate.”



President Trump: I do not need congressional approval to strike Iran @HillTVLive https://t.co/rpyjB1Re1V pic.twitter.com/VDRidriLku — The Hill (@thehill) June 25, 2019



He said that he and most people disagree with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who recently said he would need to get Congress’s approval for action against Iran.

“I disagree, I think most people seem to disagree, but I do like keeping them — they have ideas, they’re intelligent people they’ll come up with some thoughts,” Trump said. “I do like keeping them abreast, but I don’t have to do it legally.”

On Monday the United States imposed new sanctions against Iran, targeting its leader and top officials. The U.S. announced last week that it was sending an additional 1,000 troops to the Middle East after a pair of oil tankers were attacked in the Gulf of Oman.