I. Legislative Branch
1) Legislation
Senate Democrat Introduces Iran War Powers Resolution. On July 13, Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) introduced S.J.Res.200, an Iran War Powers resolution that would halt US military operations against Iran that do not have congressional authorization.
Bipartisan Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Dismantle and Replace UNRWA. On July 14, Reps. Mike Lawler (R-NY) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) introduced H.R.9680, which would require the Department of State to develop a plan to dismantle the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) while ensuring “uninterrupted humanitarian assistance for civilians in need.” The plan would identify governments and organizations to assume responsibility for the services UNRWA currently provides.
House Republicans Unveil $95 Billion Legislative Plan, With Bulk for Iran War. On July 15, House Republicans unveiled a $95 billion budget resolution covering the Iran war and other priorities. The proposal directs up to $60 billion in defense spending and $13 billion in intelligence spending, with the bulk of the package intended for the war.
House Bill Would Bar Entry of Nationals from Several MENA Countries. On July 15, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) introduced H.R.9710, which would prohibit foreign nationals from several countries from entering the United States, including Iran, Libya, Mauritania, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen, as well as holders of travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority. The bill preserves exceptions for certain categories, including lawful permanent residents and individuals fleeing documented ethnic and religious persecution in Iran.
House Resolution Urges United States to Join ICC. On July 15, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) introduced H.Res.1435, which calls on the United States to become a full member of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and revoke sanctions and visa restrictions imposed on ICC officials.
Senate Bill Would Block Trump from Keeping Qatari Jet After Leaving Office. On July 15, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) introduced S.4999, which would prohibit President Donald Trump from transferring a luxury jumbo jet, gifted by the Qatari government and reportedly worth $400 million, to his personal control after leaving office.
House Resolution Uses Imam’s Criticism of Graham to Target Sharia Law. On July 15, Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) introduced H.Res.1436, which condemns Imam Omar Suleiman, Founder and President of the Texas-based Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research, over social media comments following the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC).
The resolution also recognizes Graham’s role in strengthening the relationship between the United States and Israel and supports “the work of House Republicans in raising awareness about the dangers of Sharia Law and its incompatibility with American legal principles, Constitutional governance, and individual liberty.”
House Defeats Amendment to End Israel Aid, but Nearly Half of Democrats Vote in Favor. On July 15, the House passed H.R.8595, the Fiscal Year 2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, by a party-line vote of 217-209.
On the same day, the House voted 314-104 to reject an amendment offered by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) that would have cut $3.3 billion in foreign military aid for Israel. A total of 103 Democrats, nearly half of the caucus, supported the amendment, while 98 voted against it and 10 voted present. Fifteen of the Democrats who supported the amendment had previously been endorsed by AIPAC. This record number of Democrats supporting an end to US aid to Israel reflects declining support for Israel within the caucus.
A day earlier, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said in a “Dear Colleague” letter that he planned to oppose the amendment, though he would not whip the vote. However, he also called for “urgent change” in the US-Israel relationship, including reconsidering future US assistance to Israel after the current memorandum of understanding (MOU) expires in 2028.
II. Executive Branch
1) White House
Trump Backtracks on Plan to Charge 20 Percent Fee for Ships Transiting Strait of Hormuz. On July 13, President Trump said that the United States would reimpose a blockade on Iranian ports and charge a 20 percent fee on cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz to cover the cost of securing the waterway, despite the administration’s previous insistence that no country should charge for passage through international waters. On July 14, Trump abandoned the proposed fee, saying that he would instead pursue trade and investment agreements with Gulf states.
Trump Meets Iraqi Prime Minister at White House. On July 14, President Trump welcomed Iraq’s new prime minister, Ali al-Zaidi, to the White House, where the two leaders pledged to deepen economic ties and boost Iraq’s oil production. Both leaders said that the remaining US forces in Iraq would fully withdraw by September 30, the same date al-Zaidi set for armed factions operating in the country to disarm.
Trump Urges Netanyahu to Withdraw Forces from Syria and Lebanon. On July 14, Axios reported, citing US and Israeli officials, that President Trump urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a July 9 call to begin withdrawing Israeli forces from Syria and Lebanon. Trump reportedly warned that Israel’s military presence in Syria was creating tensions that could lead to further escalation.
Vance Says Israeli Influence Campaigns Are Manipulating US Opinion on Iran War. On July 15, Vice President JD Vance told podcaster Joe Rogan that “a literal foreign influence campaign” was being funded to undermine the US-Iran agreement reached in June. Vance said that individuals within the Israeli government were seeking to push Washington away from the deal because they wanted to continue the military campaign. He added that an Israel-linked campaign had targeted him personally over his role in the negotiations.
Trump Expands Military Operations Against Iran. On July 15, Axios and the Wall Street Journal reported that President Trump was considering expanding US military operations beyond recent strikes near the Strait of Hormuz. The outlets reported that options presented to Trump included intensified airstrikes against strategic targets not previously attacked, the deployment of ground troops to seize Iranian islands near the Strait of Hormuz, and the bombing of the Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site. Trump separately told Fox News that the United States may strike bridges and power stations, adding that he would save energy targets for last. On July 18, President Trump ordered additional strikes against Iran in retaliation for the deaths of two US service members in Jordan.
Trump Calls for Adding Iran to Russia Sanctions Bill. On July 19, President Trump urged Republicans to add Iran to a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill, saying that the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) had wanted Iran included. The bill would authorize tariffs of up to 100 percent on the top five purchasers of Russian oil and natural gas.
2) Department of State
Trump Administration Launches Campaign Against ICC. On July 13, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced what the Department of State called a “sweeping campaign to dismantle the threat” posed by the ICC to US sovereignty, aimed at “disabl[ing]” the court’s ability to operate or target US service members and officials.
Actions under consideration include urging countries to withdraw from the ICC or reject its authority over US officials and service members, increasing scrutiny of countries that receive US assistance while recognizing the court’s authority, and imposing additional sanctions, visa revocations, and travel bans on ICC personnel and affiliated organizations.
The initiative follows previous US sanctions against ICC officials and organizations that provided evidence to the court, as well as broader threats to penalize entities supporting investigations involving the United States or its allies, particularly Israel.
Rubio Meets with Jordanian Foreign Minister. On July 14, Secretary Rubio met with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi to discuss bilateral and regional issues, including Iran’s attacks on shipping and countries in the region.
Department Approves Military Sales to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. On July 15, the Department of State approved a possible $1.96 billion Foreign Military Sale to Saudi Arabia for Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (laser-guided precision munitions kits) and related equipment. It also approved a possible $484 million sale to Kuwait for C-17 sustainment and related equipment.
US Official Says Lebanon and Israel Move Toward Implementing Withdrawal Agreement. On July 15, a Department of State official said that two days of “productive” US-mediated talks between Lebanon and Israel in Rome ended with an agreement on “the structure and guidelines for the pilot zone process, to be finalized and implemented in the coming days,” referring to areas in southern Lebanon from which Israeli forces would begin withdrawing.
On July 19, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with Secretary Rubio in Washington for the first of a series of meetings, including with President Trump, to discuss the US-brokered framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel.
G7 Urges Halt to Attacks in Sudan’s al-Obeid. On July 16, G7 foreign ministers and the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy urged the Rapid Support Forces and allied groups to halt actions that could endanger civilians in al-Obeid, and called on all parties, including the Sudanese Armed Forces, to cease hostilities, allow humanitarian access, and negotiate in good faith. They also urged the UN Security Council to expand the Darfur arms embargo to all of Sudan and called on external actors to end military, logistical, and financial support to the warring parties.
United States Backs Revival of Iraq-Syria Crude Oil Pipeline. On July 17, the Department of State welcomed plans by Iraq and Syria to rehabilitate and reconstruct the Iraq-Syria crude oil pipeline. The department said that a US-led international consortium would carry out the project’s technical and financial components. Once restored, the pipeline is expected to transport up to 2 million barrels of crude oil per day from Iraq to Mediterranean export markets.
US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack said that Iraq’s recent pipeline agreements would lead to a program “that will make the Strait of Hormuz an afterthought.”
3) Department of Defense
AFRICOM Conducts Strikes in Somalia. On July 13, US forces conducted additional airstrikes against al-Shabab in Somalia.
AFRICOM and Morocco Sign Agreement to Establish Training and Experimentation Center. On July 13, AFRICOM and the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces signed an MOU seeking to establish the Africa Multidomain Training and Experimentation Center in Tan-Tan, Morocco, by 2030. The center would include a multidomain training area, drone academy, and innovation and experimentation center focused on regional security, counterterrorism, and emerging technologies.
CENTCOM Launches More Strikes on Iran. On July 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19, CENTCOM announced daily strikes against Iran, hitting targets including air defense and coastal surveillance sites, missile and drone storage facilities, and maritime capabilities. On July 18, US forces also targeted Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces, following Iran’s July 17 retaliatory strikes across the region that left three US service members dead and one missing.
United States and Jordan Hold Joint Military Commission. On July 15, Assistant Secretary of War for International Security Affairs Daniel Zimmerman and Chairman of the Jordanian Joint Chiefs of Staff Maj. Gen. Yousef al-Huneity co-hosted the 45th US-Jordan Joint Military Commission. The delegations discussed interoperability, regional security priorities, integrated air and missile defense, counterterrorism, and opportunities to expand military cooperation.
4) Department of the Treasury
Bessent Meets with Iraqi Prime Minister. On July 14, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent met with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to discuss combating illicit finance, strengthening Iraq’s financial sector, countering Iran, and advancing shared US-Iraq security and economic interests.
Treasury Sanctions Iranian Shipping and Weapons Procurement Networks. On July 14, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned more than 50 individuals, entities, and vessels linked to Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani’s shipping and sanctions evasion network, which facilitates Iranian oil exports.
On July 15, OFAC sanctioned seven individuals and entities it accused of being involved in an international network procuring weapons for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
