The US House of Representatives on Tuesday rejected by the narrowest margin a Democratic-led resolution to halt military operations against Iran without congressional authorization. The effort to limit President Donald Trump's campaign fell just short in a stunning 212-212 tie.

The House voted 212 to 212 on the war powers resolution. It failed since a majority was needed to pass, even though more Republicans supported it this time.

Three Republicans aligned with Trump - Tom Barrett of Michigan, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, and Thomas Massie of Kentucky - voted for the resolution. One Democrat, Jared Golden of Maine, voted against it.

This marked the third House vote this year on an Iran war powers resolution and the first since the 60-day deadline on May 1 for Trump to seek congressional approval. Trump stated then that a ceasefire had ended hostilities against Iran.

The Senate has seen seven failed attempts as well.

The margins have narrowed steadily, with Republicans holding slim majorities in both chambers. The previous House resolution failed 213-214 on April 16, with one member voting present.

In that earlier vote, only one Republican backed it.

Senate votes have tightened too. On Wednesday, a war powers measure was blocked 50-49, as three Republicans joined all Democrats except one to advance it.

Democrats invoke constitutional authority

Democrats urged Trump to obtain congressional approval for force in the Iran conflict, stressing that the Constitution grants war declaration powers solely to Congress, not the president.

They cautioned that Trump risked entangling the nation in a prolonged war without a defined strategy and criticized surging gasoline, food, and other prices since the US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran began February 28.

US producer prices surged at the fastest pace in four years during April, driven by war-related cost increases for goods and services.

"The president must come to Congress now, and it is time - I believe - to bring this war to an end," said Representative Gregory Meeks, top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, during debate.

White House defends commander-in-chief role

Republicans and the White House maintain Trump's moves are lawful and fit his commander-in-chief duties to safeguard the US via targeted operations against imminent threats.

Some Republicans charged Democrats with pushing resolutions purely from partisan animosity toward Trump.

"This is 100% theatrics," declared Representative Brian Mast of Florida, Foreign Affairs Committee chairman, in debate. He faulted Democrats for emboldening Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps through repeated filings.