The U.S. Congress returns in full session Monday as the war with Iran stretches into a new week. Confusion continues over President Trump’s contridiction in messages over whether the U.S. is winning in the Middle East conflict. Trump announced plans Sunday to move forward with a naval blocka de of the Strait of Hormuz after peace talks failed over the weekend. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces will begin implementing a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on April 13 at 10 a.m. ET, in accordance with the President’s decision. The blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. CENTCOM forces will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports. Iran responded by warning any military presence near the waterway would be considered a violation of a fragile ceasefire. “When they (Iran) do the cost benefit, they can gain quite a bit from threatening the entire world economy,” said Darren Kew, dean of the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies at the University of San Diego. “This gives them a lot more leverage than I think they realized before the start of the war,” Kew said. The Strait of Hormuz — a narrow but critical shipping lane carrying roughly 20% of the world’s oil — has become a focal point of both military strategy and global economic anxiety. A commercial ship is viewed anchored off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, in the Strait of Hormuz, Dubai on March 2, 2026. Increased maritime traffic led to a buildup of vessels waiting near Dubai, highlighting the strategic importance of the strait, which handles 20 percent of global energy trade. On Capitol Hill Friday, Rep. Sara Jacobs (D) of San Diego’s 51st District, delivered a passionate message calling for Congress to assert its authority. “We need to end this war with a real durable diplomatic solution,” Jacobs said. “That will only happen if our Republican colleagues put a real check on (President Trump’s) power.” Kew told NBC 7 by phone Sunday morning, . “The key thing for Americans to watch out for is to see if President Trump switches back to a domestic agenda,” he said, adding that early confidence following prior conflicts like the regime change in Venezuela may have shifted after tougher resistance from Iran. Meanwhile, Republican Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida defended the president’s approach, arguing Trump is dealing with years of failed foreign policy. “What the president is having to do now is fix the foreign policy mess of several presidents when it comes to Iran. In his first term, President Trump, through his sanctions, had the Iranian government flat on their back,” Donalds said Sunday during an interview on NBC’s “Meet The Press” program. This week, lawmakers are expected to take up key votes tied to funding and oversight of the war effort. How those debates unfold — and whether they bring clarity or more division — remains to be seen. ...read more read less