Hegseth said the clock has stopped on the Iran war

Under US law, Congress must approve a continuation of the war effort that began on February 28.

But during Thursday's hearing, Hegseth said that President Donald Trump does not have to follow the law because the temporary ceasefire agreement means that "the clock has stopped," The New York Times reports.

Hegseth did not say whether the president was still prepared to seek approval from Congress or to seek a 30-day reprieve for a vote.