AP NewsWatch

I'm Ed Donahue with an AP News Minute.

The U.S. presented Iran with a plan to pause the fighting.

Iran said no, responding with its own plan.

This is White House press secretary Caroline Levin.

There does not need to be any more death and destruction.

But if Iran fails to accept the reality of the current moment, if they fail to understand

that they have been defeated militarily and will continue to be, President Trump will

ensure they are hit harder than they have ever been hit before.

Before U.S. troops are headed to the Middle East, Levin was asked about authorization

by Congress.

That formal authorization from Congress is not necessary because we're currently in

major combat operations in Iran.

The Department of War and the President, as I said, estimated about a four to six week

timeline for the full completion of these military combat operations.

We're again on day 25 today.

Levin says talks with Iran have not reached a dead end and are continuing.

For more information at apnews.com, I'm Ed Donahue.