Semafor reported Monday, citing sources, that Senate Republicans are quietly preparing legislation to authorize the use of military force against Iran, intended to allow Congress to act swiftly if President Donald Trump orders a renewed attack.

Officials are considering whether the legislation will need to clear the 60-vote threshold in the future, with some Republicans believing it could pass with a simple majority in the Senate, Semafor said.

"The Republican authorization is likely to include provisions limiting the deployment of ground troops and restricting the duration of the conflict," Semafor added.

Under the War Powers Act, Congress can expedite such measures, allowing for "expedited" consideration of a military authorization submitted within the first 30 days of a new 60-day conflict period, enabling a swift vote on the Senate floor.

The effort comes amid heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global maritime transit route.

President Trump said in a Truth Social post Sunday that the U.S. military would escort commercial vessels from various nations in the Strait of Hormuz and take humanitarian measures to assist ships and crews known to be stranded in the region for over two months, facing shortages of food and supplies.

In response, Iran's Islamic Republic of Iran Army's Defense Forces Commander Ali Abdolahi stated in a statement: "Any foreign armed forces, especially aggressive American forces, attempting to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz will be attacked."

U.S. Central Command stated that two destroyers had safely transited the Strait of Hormuz that morning. Afterward, Fars News Agency reported that a U.S. warship was hit by two missiles near Jask Island, ignoring Iran's warning.

Axios, however, quoting a senior U.S. official, denied the report of U.S. vessels being hit, calling it fake news.

Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, said, "Ships currently in the Arabian Gulf represent 87 nations around the world, and as the President mentioned, they are simply neutral and innocent bystanders. Over the past 12 hours, we've reached out to dozens of ships and shipping companies to encourage the smooth passage of vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. This is in line with the President's intent to safely guide ships through this narrow trade lane."

Commander Cooper further stated, "From my perspective, the difference is clear. U.S. forces are assisting the international community in restoring the flow of world trade, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is using all means to threaten and intimidate merchant vessels. From an overall operational assessment, U.S. forces have a distinct advantage. We have a vast concentration of power and firepower in and around the Strait of Hormuz."

CENTCOM stated via X that U.S. Navy MH-60 Seahawk helicopters and U.S. Army AH-64 Apache helicopters were used to remove Iranian small boats threatening commercial vessels.

President Trump stated that seven Iranian fast attack craft were destroyed.

CENTCOM also released a video of F/A-18 Super Hornets launching from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, explaining that the carrier strike group is supporting "Operation Freedom."

United States NNP=Reporter Hong Sung-goo / Special Correspondent NNP info@newsandpost.com