I. Legislative Branch
1) Legislation
Democrats Eye Sanctions on Israeli Settlers Following Midterm Victories. On November 4, some Democrats were reported to be planning to use their newly won control of Congress to pursue sanctions against Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, following the United Kingdom’s lead. Several Democratic lawmakers, including Reps. Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Ro Khanna (D-CA), and Greg Casar (D-TX), and Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), have publicly supported similar measures.
2) Personnel and Correspondence
Jeffries Backs Effort to Impeach Hegseth Over Iran War. On November 8, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), who is expected to become the next speaker of the House following the Democrats’ victory in the midterm elections, announced his support for an impeachment resolution against Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, criticizing his role in the US-Israeli war on Iran. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) said that he planned to reintroduce the resolution as early as November 9.
II. Executive Branch
1) White House
Trump Announces Plans to End Annual Military Aid to Israel. On November 3, President Donald Trump announced plans to end roughly $4 billion in annual US military assistance to Israel by the end of 2026, saying that he had reached an agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump said that Israel no longer needed the assistance and that the funding had become a political liability for Republicans. He added that Israel would still be able to purchase US weapons. However, the current US-Israeli security assistance agreement runs through 2028, and any early termination would require congressional involvement.
Meanwhile, if enacted, Section 219 of the House-passed FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act would expand US-Israeli cooperation on weapons research, technology, and production, potentially shifting the relationship from military aid toward greater integration between the two countries’ defense industries.
Trump, Vance Acknowledge the Role of the Iran War in Republicans’ Midterm Losses. On November 3, President Trump partially blamed the Iran war for Republicans’ sweeping losses in the midterm elections but maintained that he would make the same decision again.
On November 4, Vice President JD Vance also blamed the ongoing war for Republicans’ electoral defeat, identifying four key demands among voters: ending the war, addressing the cost of living and inflation, putting “America First,” and changing the United States’ relationship with Israel.
Trump continued to defend his decision to launch the war, claiming on November 6 that he had prevented Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, thus saving Israel and the wider Middle East.
Trump Urges Netanyahu to Advance Gaza Plan Following Israeli Election. On November 5, President Trump reportedly urged Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu during a phone call to advance Trump’s Gaza peace plan following the Israeli elections. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump’s son-in-law and advisor Jared Kushner also participated in the call.
Trump Appoints Stephen Miller as White House Chief of Staff. On November 6, President Trump announced that Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller would replace Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff beginning November 9.
Miller, a longtime Trump advisor and key architect of his hardline immigration policies, helped develop the 2017 travel ban targeting several Muslim-majority countries. He has also played a central role in the administration’s mass deportation campaign, which included efforts to deport visa-holders and permanent residents advocating for Palestinian rights.
Trump Discusses De-escalation Efforts with Qatari Emir. On November 6, President Trump spoke with Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani about Qatar’s mediation efforts to reach an agreement that would end the Iran war. The call came amid reports of potential progress in negotiations, with Iran reportedly reviewing Qatari proposals to curb its nuclear program in exchange for significant US sanctions relief.
2) Department of State
Department Approves Military Sale to Jordan. On November 2, the Department of State approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Jordan of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II guided rockets and related equipment, with an estimated cost of $100 million.
United States Offers $20 Million Reward for Information on Iran’s Nuclear Program. On November 6, CENTCOM announced that the Department of State’s Rewards for Justice program is offering up to $20 million and possible relocation for information on Iran’s nuclear facilities, equipment, and personnel.
3) Department of War
CENTCOM Conducts Strikes on Iran Amid Ongoing Diplomatic Talks. On November 2, US forces conducted what officials described as “defensive” strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, despite President Trump’s earlier statement that the United States would not resume hostilities against Iran ahead of the midterm elections. On November 6, Trump confirmed strikes targeting an Iranian air defense system, while claiming that Washington had made “a lot of progress” in talks with Tehran.
On November 8, Trump said that renewed military action against Iran was “highly unlikely” if negotiations progressed on Iran’s nuclear program and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. However, he also warned that US forces could still target Iranian bridges and power plants if the war restarts.
AFRICOM Conducts Strike in Somalia. On November 5, US forces conducted an airstrike against al-Shabab in Somalia.
CENTCOM Launches Task Force to Disrupt Iranian Supply Routes. On November 7, CENTCOM announced the establishment of Task Force Iron Gate to disrupt the movement of weapons, dual-use technologies, and sanctioned materials across Iran’s land borders and the Caspian Sea.
4) Department of the Treasury
United States Imposes New Sanctions on Iranian Oil, Aviation, Weapons Procurement, and Financial Networks. On November 4, the Department of the Treasury sanctioned a network based in India accused of helping Iran evade oil sanctions through fraudulent vessel registrations, as well as a Turkey-based company accused of providing services to sanctioned Iranian airlines.
The same day, the Department of State sanctioned two individuals based in Belarus and Russia, along with a Nigeria-based company, for allegedly facilitating Iran’s procurement of Chinese-made man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS).
On November 6, the Department of the Treasury sanctioned eight money exchange businesses based in Canada accused of facilitating Iran-related sanctions evasion through digital asset transactions, including transactions linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
