The Republican-controlled House of Representatives has passed a resolution urging President Donald Trump to withdraw US forces from hostilities with Iran except to defend the US or its allies from imminent attack. The measure passed by a vote of 220 to 204, with all Democrats and seven Republicans voting in favor.

This is the third time the House has passed such a measure that seeks to limit Trump's authority to continue military operations in Iran without authorization from Congress. The latest resolution was led by Democrat Seth Moulton and is based on the War Powers Resolution, the federal law that defines the powers of Congress and the president in the use of American forces abroad.

The vote comes on the eve of the midterm elections scheduled for November. It is not yet clear whether the Senate will consider the resolution in the final weeks of the session before the elections. A similar resolution was approved by the House in July by a vote of 214 to 208, and another was passed in June. Neither of these measures has so far led to an end to the war.