WASHINGTON, July 23 (Reuters) - The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday backed legislation directing President Donald Trump to halt any U.S. military action against Iran, in the latest symbolic rebuke from Congress to the Republican president.

The vote resulted in 214 votes to 208 in favor of the war powers resolution after four Republicans joined the Democrats in voting for it.

The resolution, introduced by Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal, directs Trump "to cease the use of United States armed forces in hostilities" against Iran unless authorized by Congress. However, the move is largely symbolic, as lawmakers have passed similar resolutions repeatedly in recent months without ending the conflict.

The four Republicans who voted in favor of the resolution are Tom Barrett of Michigan, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Warren Davidson of Ohio, and Thomas Massie of Kentucky.

Republicans loyal to Trump hold a slim majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The Senate is scheduled to vote on a separate but similar resolution later on Thursday.

This vote comes after Trump announced an escalation of attacks on Iran and the deaths of more US military personnel. On Thursday, Trump threatened "major military punishment" for Iran and its Houthi allies after the Yemeni movement targeted two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, expanding the Middle East conflict to include a second major shipping lane.

The US military also launched another round of airstrikes on Iran overnight, prompting Tehran to fire on US bases in neighboring countries, two weeks after the de facto collapse of the temporary truce that was supposed to end the war.