I. Legislative Branch
1) Legislation
House Passes Bill to Restrict Campus Boycotts of Israel. On September 3, the House passed H.R.4795 in a 237-169 vote. The bill, introduced by Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and cosponsored by Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to strip federal aid from universities that engage in the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement or fail to ensure that students are not obstructed from participating in academic programs in Israel. Critics warned that its provisions could also apply to institutions in illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, potentially requiring US universities to forge academic ties with them to meet the certification requirement.
Thirty-three Democrats joined most Republicans in supporting the measure, while Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Warren Davidson (R-OH) were the only two Republicans to vote against it. Among the Democrats who supported the measure was Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), who was recently named the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa.
On September 2, House Education and Workforce Committee Democrats urged members to oppose the measure, warning that it could restrict free speech and that no US college or university has adopted the policies it seeks to prohibit.
House Resolution Would Denounce Sharia Law. On September 3, Rep. Keith Self (R-TX) introduced H.Con.Res.116, a concurrent resolution denouncing Sharia law and opposing its implementation within the United States.
2) Hearings and Briefings
HFAC Holds Hearing on Countering the Houthis. On September 1, the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s (HFAC) Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa held a hearing on countering “Houthi terrorism” and protecting US interests and security in the Red Sea.
II. Executive Branch
1) White House
United States Strikes Iran as Trump Warns of Further Attacks. On September 1, US forces struck Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targets in Iran, including air defense sites and other military assets. That same day, President Donald Trump warned that if Iran retaliated, “they will be hit again at a much harder and higher level.” One US strike reportedly hit a home hosting a wedding, killing at least four people. Iran subsequently launched missiles and drones at various targets across the region. Trump also said that he “couldn’t care less” whether Iran signs an agreement with the United States.
On September 2, Trump suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz after himself, again claiming that the waterway was under US control even as Iran continued attacking ships in the area.
Kushner Says Israeli Election Has Made Government “Irrational” on Gaza. On September 6, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner said that Israel’s upcoming October 27 Knesset election had made Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government act “a little irrational” on Gaza, amid Israel’s rejection of the Board of Peace’s proposal to disarm Hamas in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal from the Strip. Kushner nevertheless said that the United States and Israel agree on the “end state” for Gaza.
2) Department of State
Department Approves Foreign Military Sales to Iraq. On August 31, the Department of State approved a proposed $800 million Foreign Military Sale to Iraq for Bell 412EPX and Bell 407M helicopters and related equipment. On September 4, the department approved another proposed $150 million sale of Bell 412EPX helicopters and related equipment.
United States Welcomes Turkey’s Signing of Artemis Accords. On September 1, the Department of State welcomed Turkey’s signing of the Artemis Accords, a set of principles guiding cooperation in peaceful space exploration.
Department Approves Foreign Military Sales to Saudi Arabia. On September 4, the Department of State approved two proposed Foreign Military Sales to Saudi Arabia: a $5 billion sale of Joint Direct Attack Munitions—Extended Range and related equipment, and a $750 million sale of 60 AGT-1500 tank engines and related equipment.
Department Approves Foreign Military Sale to Oman. On September 4, the Department of State approved a proposed $188 million Foreign Military Sale to Oman for F-16 sustainment services and related equipment.
Huckabee Calls Israeli Settler Violence an “Act of Terror.” On September 5, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee visited the occupied West Bank village of Turmus Ayya, where he met with local officials and Palestinian American residents amid a surge in Israeli settler violence.
Huckabee said that the Israeli government has a “responsibility” to protect Palestinians from such attacks and condemned violent settlers as “terrorists.”
3) Department of War
CENTCOM Strikes Iranian Oil Tankers. On September 5, CENTCOM said that it struck three Iranian oil tankers after the IRGC launched ballistic missiles at two US Navy warships. CENTCOM said that the vessels were part of a shadow network financing the IRGC and warned that it could, “if necessary, destroy Iran’s limited and exposed oil fleet.”
4) Department of the Treasury
Treasury Sanctions Turkey-Based Bank over Iran Ties. On September 4, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned Turkey-based Golden Global Bank and its subsidiaries for allegedly facilitating tens of millions of dollars in transactions for the IRGC Quds Force and providing Iran with correspondent banking access to move funds internationally.
