Tuesday's vote came as lawmakers warily watched President Donald Trump's efforts to resolve the conflict. While the outline of the emerging negotiations has been roundly criticized on both sides of the aisle, in a Tuesday virtual Q&A, Paul said he's willing to give the president and his team time to negotiate regarding the nuclear question.
"So when the president said he's willing to trade relief, trade sanction relief, in exchange for getting rid of their nuclear program, I think that's a good trade, frankly," he said.
Yet a growing number of Republican lawmakers in both the House and Senate have expressed their concerns over both the war and the deal Trump struck with Iran to end it. And Paul remains a critic of Trump's unilateral approach.
"The war shouldn't have been begun without congressional permission. I continue to vote to pull that power and to make sure that constitutional power remains with Congress," Paul said, adding it makes war less likely.
The Senate war powers resolution comes as the Pentagon is seeking $80 billion from Congress, mostly for the Iran war, as it backfills munitions and stockpiles.
Trump called the vote "poorly timed and meaningless."