I. Legislative Branch
1) Legislation
House Resolution Calls for Removal of US Forces from Lebanon. On April 13, Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) introduced H.Con.Res.84, a War Powers resolution to remove US forces from Lebanon.
Senate Bill Seeks to Block Funding for Trump’s Board of Peace. On April 13, Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) introduced S.4278, which would prohibit federal funds from being made available to the Board of Peace without a separate congressional authorization, strip the Board and its personnel of any privileges, exemptions, or immunities under the International Organizations Immunities Act, and require reporting to Congress within 60 days on the Board’s progress toward achieving sustainable peace in Gaza.
Senate, House Reject Iran War Powers Resolutions. On April 15, the Senate rejected a War Powers resolution introduced by Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) to halt US military operations in Iran without congressional approval. The measure failed in a 47-52 vote, largely along party lines, with Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) joining Democrats in support, while Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) opposed it. The vote marked the fourth time that Senate Republicans have blocked such efforts related to the Iran war.
The next day, the House rejected a similar Iran War Powers resolution introduced by Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY). The measure failed in a 213-214 vote, largely along party lines, with Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) joining Democrats in support and Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) opposing it.
House Democrats Introduce Sudan-Related Measures. On April 15, Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-IL) introduced H.R.8301, which directs the Secretary of State to review the potential classification of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces as a specially designated global terrorist organization.
On the same day, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) introduced H.Res.1179, condemning attacks on civilians in Sudan and calling for a negotiated end to the war and an end to external material support to the warring parties.
House Resolution Recognizes April as “Arab American Heritage Month.” On April 15, Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) introduced H.Res.1181, expressing support for recognizing April as “National Arab American Heritage Month” and celebrating Arab American heritage and culture in the United States.
Senate Bills Seek to Defund UNRWA, Counter Israel Boycott Efforts. On April 15, Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) introduced S.4295, which would permanently end US funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency and eliminate “funding for UN bodies chaired by governments that the [Department of State] identifies as repeatedly supporting terrorism.”
Scott also introduced S.4296, which would amend anti-boycott laws to target efforts by UN agencies and other international organizations that “seek to delegitimize Israel economically” and to require an annual report identifying governments and international organizations involved in such boycott efforts.
Record Number of Senate Democrats Back Effort to Block Israel Arms Sales. On April 15, 40 Senate Democrats voted for a measure (S.J.Res.32) led by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to block a $295 million sale of bulldozers, while 36 supported a second Sanders-backed resolution (S.J.Res.138) to block a $151.8 million sale of 1,000-pound bombs used in Gaza and Lebanon. Although both resolutions failed to pass, the votes marked a record level of Democratic support for restricting arms sales to Israel, increasing from 19 senators in a similar vote in 2024 to 24 in 2025 and to 40 in this vote. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) was among those who voted no, along with Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV).
Sanders said that “Americans, whether they are Democrats, Republicans or independents, want to see our tax money invested in improving lives here at home—not used to kill innocent women and children in the Middle East.”
House Resolution Urges Trump to Turn Over UAE Payments, Divest Foreign Interests. On April 16, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) introduced H.Res.1186, expressing the sense of the House that President Donald Trump, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and other federal officials must comply with the US Constitution’s Foreign Emoluments Clause by turning over any payments received from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) or other foreign states to the Department of the Treasury and divesting from business interests linked to foreign governments.
House Bill Seeks to Suspend US Aid to Somalia. On April 16, Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX) introduced H.R.8334, which would suspend US bilateral and multilateral foreign assistance to Somalia.
House Resolution Seeks to Enforce Iran War Powers Deadlines. On April 16, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) introduced H.J.Res.156, an Iran War Powers resolution directing the administration to comply with the 60-day use-of-force limit and 30-day phased withdrawal requirements under the 1973 War Powers Act.
2) Personnel and Correspondence
House Democrats Push to Restore TPS for Yemen. On April 14, Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) led 23 other House Democrats in a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin and Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging the Trump administration to extend Temporary Protected Status for Yemen.
Senators Call for End to Sudan War. On April 15, Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Coons (D-DE), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) released a statement calling for an end to the war in Sudan.
On the same day, Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID) also released a statement on the war in Sudan, warning of its broader regional consequences, and said that “in the coming weeks,” he intends to introduce legislation to support US efforts to end the war and hold those involved accountable.
Senators Press Rubio on Reported Gaza Stablecoin Plan. On April 16, Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) sent a letter to Secretary Rubio pressing the Trump administration over reports that it is developing a “US dollar-backed stablecoin for Gaza as part of post-war reconstruction efforts.”
3) Hearings and Briefings
SFRC Holds Hearing on UN Reform. On April 15, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing on reforming the United Nations, at which US Ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, testified.
II. Executive Branch
1) White House
Vance Says “A Lot of Progress” in Iran Talks; Trump Says Talks May Resume. Following the failure of the April 11-12 US–Iran talks in Pakistan, on April 13 Vice President JD Vance said that the United States had made “a lot of progress” and that “the ball is in the Iranian court.”
The same day, President Trump repeated his claim that safeguarding the Strait of Hormuz is more important to other countries than it is to the United States. On Truth Social, he threatened to destroy any Iranian ships attempting to cross the Strait, claiming that Iran’s navy had been “obliterated,” while noting that the United States had not targeted Iran’s “fast attack ships” because it did not deem them a threat.
On April 14, Trump said that talks with Iran could resume in Pakistan in the coming days.
Trump Says China Agreed to Stop Sending Weapons to Iran. On April 15, President Trump said that he was “permanently” opening the Strait of Hormuz, adding that China was “happy” about the decision and, in exchange, had agreed to stop sending weapons to Iran.
Trump Says Israel and Lebanon Agreed to a Ceasefire. On April 16, following an Israel-Lebanon meeting hosted by Secretary of State Rubio (see item in Department of State section, below), President Trump announced that the two countries had agreed to a 10-day ceasefire.
In a separate statement, Trump said that he would invite Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House “for the first meaningful talks between Israel and Lebanon since 1983.”
The Department of State provided details of the ceasefire agreement:
- The ceasefire “may be extended by mutual agreement” if negotiations show signs of progress.
- Israel retains the right to carry out strikes in Lebanon in self-defense “at any time.”
- Israel has committed to not carrying out “offensive military operations against Lebanese targets, including civilian, military, and other state targets.”
- Lebanon has committed to “take meaningful steps to prevent Hezbollah and all other rogue non-state armed groups” from carrying out attacks against Israeli targets.
- All parties have recognized that Lebanon’s security forces held exclusive responsibility for Lebanon’s security.
Trump Declares Israel “Prohibited” from Bombing Lebanon. On April 17, President Trump said that he wanted Israel to stop striking Lebanon, stating that “[Israel] has to stop. They can’t continue to blow buildings up. I am not gonna allow it,” reiterating an earlier remark on Truth Social in which he said that Israel was “PROHIBITED” from continuing to bomb Lebanon. According to the Times of Israel, the White House later clarified that Israel, under the terms of the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire agreement, retains the right to self-defense against Hezbollah.
On April 18, Trump said on Truth Social that, whether people love or hate Israel, it has proven to be “a GREAT Ally of the United States.”
Trump Threatens to Bomb Iran as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Escalate. On April 17, following Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s announcement that the Strait of Hormuz had reopened, President Trump affirmed the development on Truth Social. He later claimed that Iran had agreed to “never close the Strait of Hormuz again” and, with US assistance, was removing sea mines in the Strait. He added that the US naval blockade on Iranian ports would “remain in full force.”
Trump also said that the United States would enter Iran to “get all the nuclear dust.” In an interview with CBS News, he claimed that Iran had “agreed to everything,” including cooperating with the United States to remove its enriched uranium. He also told AFP that there were “no sticking points” left for a peace deal, and told Axios that he expected one “in the next day or two”—claims that Iran rejected.
On April 18, Iran reversed its reopening of the waterway and fired on ships attempting to pass, accusing the United States of violating the ceasefire. Trump called the move “blackmail,” saying that Iran “got a little cute” by reimposing the closure, while adding that “very good” conversations were ongoing. He threatened “to start dropping bombs again” unless a deal was reached before the ceasefire expires on April 22.
On April 19, Trump said that talks on extending the ceasefire would resume on April 21, while Iran indicated that it was not planning to send a delegation and remained pessimistic about the prospects of the talks. Trump told Fox News that talks in Islamabad were the “last chance” for Iran, warning again that if no deal was signed, the whole country “is getting blown up.” On Truth Social, he described the US proposal—reopening the strait and ensuring Iran holds no enriched uranium—as a “very fair and reasonable deal,” and warned that he would knock out “every single power plant” and “every single bridge” if Iran refused.
Trump also said that the United States had seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship that attempted to circumvent the naval blockade after ignoring warnings from a US Navy guided-missile destroyer in the Gulf of Oman.
2) Department of State
Rubio Convenes Israel-Lebanon Meeting. On April 14, Secretary Rubio hosted ceasefire talks at the Department of State with the Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter and Lebanese Ambassador to the United States Nada Hamadeh Moawad. US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa and Department of State Counselor Michael Needham also participated.
At the opening of the talks, Rubio said that an Israel-Lebanon peace process will “take time” and that the objective is to “outline the framework upon which a permanent and lasting peace can be developed” and bring a “permanent end” to Hezbollah’s influence in the region.
Rubio Meets with Dutch Foreign Minister. On April 14, Secretary Rubio met with Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen to discuss the war in Iran.
Rubio Meets with Egyptian Foreign Minister. On April 14, Secretary Rubio met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty to discuss the ceasefire with Iran, the importance of a humanitarian truce in Sudan, joint efforts to disarm Hamas in line with Trump’s Gaza peace plan, and bolstering the US-Egypt economic relationship.
Rubio Speaks with British Foreign Secretary. On April 16, Secretary Rubio spoke with British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to discuss next steps following the Iran ceasefire and the urgent need to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
United States, Partners Welcome Libya’s First Unified Budget. On April 18, the Department released a statement with Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the UAE, and the United Kingdom welcoming Libya’s April 11 agreement on a unified 2026 national budget.
3) Department of War
United States, Libya, and Italy Announce ‘Flintlock 2026’ Exercise. On April 13, the United States, Libya, and Italy announced the launch of Flintlock 2026, AFRICOM’s annual multinational special operations exercise. The exercise convened forces from more than 30 countries, with Libya hosting more than 10 nations’ forces for training. AFRICOM stated that “Flintlock supports the continued development of a unified Libyan military, foundational to the long-term security and prosperity of North Africa.”
AFRICOM Conducts More Somalia Strikes. On April 13 and 15, US forces conducted airstrikes against al-Shabab in Somalia.
Hegseth Says United States Is “Locked and Loaded” to Strike Iran’s Energy Infrastructure. On April 16, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said that Iran’s energy infrastructure is “not destroyed yet” and that the United States is “locked and loaded” to complete the destruction.
United States Completes Handover of Major Bases in Syria. On April 16, US forces completed the handover to the Syrian government of all major US military bases in the country. As the final convoy of soldiers and equipment departed Qasrak air base in Hasakah province, the United States marked the ending of a military presence that began in 2014 with the fight against the so-called Islamic State.
4) Department of the Treasury
Bessent Meets with UAE and Saudi Finance Officials. On April 15, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent met separately with UAE Minister of State for Financial Affairs Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini and Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed bin Abdullah al-Jadaan. With Al Hussaini, Bessent expressed solidarity following Iran’s missile strikes against the UAE, emphasized US efforts to deter further attacks and prevent disruptions to energy markets, and discussed maintaining maximum pressure on Iran. With al-Jadaan, Bessent discussed US-Saudi economic cooperation and signed a Tax Information Exchange Agreement.
On April 19, the Wall Street Journal reported that the UAE raised with Bessent and US Federal Reserve officials the possibility of the Emirates receiving US financial support, perhaps in a currency swap, in light of the economic fallout from Iran war.
Treasury Sanctions Iranian Oil Shipping Networks. On April 15, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned more than two dozen individuals, companies, and vessels tied to a network run by Iranian oil shipping magnate Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, whom the Treasury said oversees a multi-billion-dollar Iranian and Russian petroleum sales operation.
The measures also targeted a financial network linked to Seyed Naiemaei Badroddin Moosavi, an Iranian national accused of facilitating oil smuggling and gold transfers connected to Hezbollah and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps–Qods Force.
Bessent Meets With UK, EU Counterparts. On April 15, Secretary Bessent met with UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves and on April 16 met with European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity Valdis Dombrovskis to discuss applying “maximum economic force” against Iran.
Bessent Meets Bahraini, Qatari Finance Ministers. On April 17, Secretary Bessent met with Bahraini Finance and National Economy Minister Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa and Qatari Finance Minister Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari to discuss Iran’s attacks in the region, their economic impact, and efforts to deter further escalation. The meetings also addressed US cooperation with both countries on economic and security issues.
Treasury Sanctions Iran-Backed Iraqi Militia Commanders. On April 17, OFAC designated seven Iraqi militia commanders linked to Iran-backed groups, saying that they were involved in planning and carrying out attacks against US personnel, facilities, and interests in Iraq.
Treasury Sanctions Recruitment Network Enabling War in Sudan. On April 17, OFAC imposed sanctions on five individuals and entities involved in recruiting and deploying former Colombian military personnel to Sudan to fight on behalf of the RSF.
