I. Legislative Branch
1) Legislation
House Bill Would Prohibit Funding for Iran War Without Congressional Authorization. On May 7, Rep. Patrick Ryan (D-NY) introduced H.R.8707, which would prohibit the use of taxpayer funds for military action against Iran without an Authorization for the Use of Military Force or a declaration of war from Congress.
House Bill Would Halt US Crude Oil Exports Until End of Iran War. On May 7, Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) introduced H.R.8670, which would prohibit US crude oil exports until President Donald Trump certifies that hostilities with Iran have ceased and the Strait of Hormuz has fully reopened to global commerce.
House Republican Introduces AUMF to Limit Iran Operations. On May 7, Rep. Tom Barrett (R-MI) introduced H.J.Res.176, an Authorization for the Use of Military Force that would authorize US military operations against Iran while imposing limits on their scope and duration. The measure would require President Trump to wind down military operations by July 30, 2026, with a 30-day extension permitted to end deployments and engagements.
Under the resolution, US forces would be authorized to “successfully demolish, degrade, or defeat” Iran’s nuclear weapons program, to address “imminent threats” to US forces and facilities, and to enforce a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz while ensuring safe passage for US and allied vessels. The measure would also prohibit “sustained” ground combat operations, the occupation or seizure of Iranian territory, and “nation-building” efforts in Iran.
The measure marks one of the clearest Republican efforts yet to place limits on US military operations against Iran.
2) Personnel and Correspondence
House Democrats Call on Trump Administration to Address Israel’s Nuclear Program. On May 4, Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX) led 29 other House Democrats in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio asking the Trump administration to answer questions about Israel’s nuclear program and to hold Israel to the same standard as it applies to other nuclear-armed countries.
Senate Democrats Press CENTCOM on Israel’s Evacuation Zones. On May 4, Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT) led 11 other Senate Democrats in a letter to CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper demanding answers about whether US forces have coordinated with Israel’s establishment of mass “evacuation zones” in Lebanon and Iran. The lawmakers stated that “the declaration of military evacuation zones has been used to permanently displace people and destroy homes and towns—acts that are in violation of international law.”
House Democrats Demand End to Attacks on Global Sumud Flotilla. On May 5, Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) led 18 other House Democrats in a letter to Secretary Rubio objecting to the Department of State’s April 30 statement condemning the Global Sumud Flotilla and criticizing the administration’s failure to protect 14 Americans aboard the convoy, which Israel intercepted in international waters on April 29. The lawmakers also called for an end to Israel’s Gaza blockade.
House Democrats Demand Answers on How Trump’s Iran War Is Driving Up Costs. On May 6, Reps. Robert Garcia (D-CA), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Angie Craig (D-MN), Jared Huffman (D-CA), and Don Beyer (D-VA) sent a letter to President Trump pressing for details on the war’s impact on the cost of living for Americans.
II. Executive Branch
1) White House
Trump Pauses “Project Freedom,” Citing “Great Progress” Toward Iran Deal. On May 5, President Trump announced that “Project Freedom,” the US initiative aimed at restoring maritime traffic by guiding ships through the Strait of Hormuz, would be “paused for a short period of time” to determine whether an “agreement can be finalized and signed.” He added, however, that the US blockade of Iranian ports “will remain in full force and effect.” Trump said that the decision was made “based on the request of Pakistan and other countries” and due to what he described as “great progress” toward an agreement with Iran.
Trump’s announcement came after Secretary Rubio told reporters earlier that day that the administration had “concluded” Operation Epic Fury, having achieved its objectives. Rubio said that the United States was now focused on Project Freedom, which he described as a “defensive operation,” explaining that “there’s no shooting unless we’re shot at first.”
On the same day, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that Iran’s military had been reduced to firing “peashooters” and claimed that Tehran privately wanted to reach a deal. He added that Iran “should save the white flag of surrender.”
United States, Iran Reportedly Near Framework for Permanent Deal. On May 6, Axios reported that the Trump administration believes it is nearing a memorandum of understanding with Iran aimed at permanently ending the war and establishing a framework for nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran. The MoU reportedly would establish a 30-day negotiation window to reach more detailed agreements on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, on limiting Iran’s nuclear program, and on lifting US sanctions. The proposed MoU also reportedly states that the agreement “would end the war throughout the region, including in Lebanon.”
Also on May 6, President Trump issued a new ultimatum to Tehran, warning it to accept a deal to end the war or to face a renewed US bombing campaign “at a much higher level and intensity than it was before.” Following Trump’s statement, the US military fired on an Iranian-flagged oil tanker.
Trump Speaks with European Commission President on Iran. On May 7, President Trump said that he had a “great call” with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, during which the two agreed that Iran can never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.
Trump Says Ceasefire Is Still in Effect After Exchange of Attacks in Strait of Hormuz. President Trump signaled on May 7 that the US-Iran ceasefire agreement remained in effect, despite a fresh exchange of fire between Iran and the United States in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump told ABC News that the strikes did not constitute a breakdown of the ceasefire, but rather served as a “love tap.” He later told reporters, “They trifled with us today. We blew them away.” Trump added, “If there’s no ceasefire, you’re not going to have to know. You’re just going to have to look at one big glow coming out of Iran. And they better sign their agreement fast,” referring to the latest US-drafted peace proposal.
On Truth Social, Trump said that the Iranian forces involved in the exchange were “completely destroyed” by US forces, adding that “just like we knocked them out again today, we’ll knock them out a lot harder, and a lot more violently, in the future, if they don’t get their Deal signed, FAST!”
Trump Calls Iran’s Response to Latest US Peace Proposal “TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.”
On May 10, President Trump rejected Iran’s response to the latest US peace proposal, calling it “TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.” Trump’s remarks came after Iranian media reported that Tehran had sent its response to Pakistani mediators.
Earlier that day, Trump asserted that Iran “has been playing games with the United States, and the rest of the World, for 47 years,” adding that Tehran “will be laughing no longer.” Also, the Wall Street Journal reported that Iran’s response did not meet the administration’s demands regarding uranium enrichment, with Tehran’s proposal focused on ending the war and on gradually reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran also reportedly proposed diluting part of its enriched uranium stockpile and transferring the remainder to a third country, with the condition that the material would be returned if negotiations collapsed or the United States later withdrew from the agreement.
In an interview on May 10, Trump said that the United States was monitoring Iran’s remaining enriched uranium stockpile, adding that the United States would “get that at some point.”
2) Department of State
United States, Gulf Partners Draft UN Security Council Resolution on Strait of Hormuz. On May 5, the Department of State announced that the United States, alongside Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates had drafted a UN Security Council resolution calling for freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. The draft resolution would require Iran to “cease attacks, mining, and tolling,” to disclose the number and location of sea mines it has laid, and to cooperate with efforts to remove them.
Rubio Speaks with Russian Foreign Minister. On May 5, Secretary Rubio spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss the Russia-Ukraine war and Iran.
Rubio Meets with Pope Leo. On May 7, Secretary Rubio met with Pope Leo XIV to discuss the situation in the Middle East.
Rubio Meets with Italian Prime Minister. On May 8, Secretary Rubio met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome to discuss regional security challenges, including developments in the Middle East.
United States to Host Third Round of Talks Between Israel and Lebanon. On May 8, the Department of State announced that the United States would mediate two days of “intensive talks” between Israel and Lebanon on May 14 and 15.
Rubio Meets with Qatari Prime Minister. On May 9, Secretary Rubio met with Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani to discuss US support for Qatar’s defense and regional security.
3) Department of War
CENTCOM Says US-Flagged Vessels Successfully Transited Strait of Hormuz. On May 4, CENTCOM said that two US-flagged merchant vessels had successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz under “Project Freedom.” CENTCOM also said that US forces had destroyed six Iranian small boats and intercepted Iranian cruise missiles and drones. It added that US forces in the region include guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 land- and sea-based aircraft and drones, and 15,000 troops. Iran denied the claims.
On Truth Social, President Trump claimed that “Iran has taken some shots at unrelated Nations” but said that no damage had occurred apart from a strike on a South Korean cargo vessel. In an interview with Fox News, Trump warned that Iran would be “blown off the face of the Earth” if it attacks US vessels participating in Project Freedom, while also claiming that the Iranian regime had become “much more malleable” in negotiations.
AFRICOM Conducts Strikes in Somalia. On May 4 and 6, US forces conducted airstrikes against the so-called Islamic State in Somalia.
4) Department of the Treasury
Treasury Sanctions Iraqi Oil Official and Militias for Aiding Iran. On May 7, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on Iraqi Deputy Oil Minister Ali Maarij Al-Bahadly, three senior leaders of the Iran-aligned militias Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada and Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, and several oil-sector companies accused of supporting the groups. According to the statement, Al-Bahadly “[abused] his position to facilitate the diversion of oil to be sold for the benefit of the Iranian regime and its proxy militias in Iraq.”
United States Sanctions Companies, Including in the Emirates, Accused of Aiding Iran. On May 8, OFAC designated 10 individuals and companies in Belarus, China, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates that it accused of supporting efforts by Iran’s military to procure weapons.
Concurrently, the Department of State imposed sanctions on four entities, including China-based companies that it said provided satellite imagery enabling Iranian military strikes against US forces in the Middle East. The Department added that “the United States will continue to take action to hold China-based entities accountable for their support to Iran.”
The sanctions come ahead of President Trump’s planned May 14 trip to China for a meeting with President Xi Jinping.
