I. Legislative Branch
1) Legislation
Senate Rejects Iran War Powers Resolution. On March 24, the Senate rejected a war powers resolution introduced by Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) aiming to halt US military operations in Iran without congressional approval. The measure was defeated in a 47–53 vote, with Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) joining Democrats in support and Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) voting with Republicans against it. The vote marked the third time Senate Republicans have blocked such efforts on the Iran war. Earlier this month, Democrats introduced multiple war powers resolutions and said that they would continue forcing votes to secure public testimony from Trump administration officials.
Jeffries Cosponsors Bill to Codify Biden-Era Sanctions on West Bank Settlers. On March 24, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) joined more than 130 House Democrats in cosponsoring the West Bank Violence Prevention Act, which would codify sanctions on West Bank settlers who perpetrate violence against Palestinians. These sanctions were first imposed as an executive order by former President Joe Biden and then reversed by President Donald Trump on his first day in office.
Senate Republicans Introduce Abraham Accords Defense Cooperation Act.On March 26, Sens. Ted Budd (R-NC) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) introduced S.4219,which would require the Secretary of War to establish a defense cooperation initiative to strengthen partnerships among Abraham Accords countries and encourage additional Arab states to join. The bill would also create a funding stream for military cooperations among participating countries.
Senate Bill Would Require Congressional Approval for Saudi Civilian Nuclear Agreement. On March 26, Sen. Edward Markey (D-MA) introduced S.4243, which would require congressional approval for any civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia.
Senate Resolution Would Disapprove Proposed UAE Arms Sale. On March 26, Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) introduced S.J.Res.158, a joint resolution to block a proposed foreign military sale to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Tlaib Introduces Resolutions to End US Support for Israeli Invasion of Lebanon. On March 27, Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) introduced two resolutions to end US support for the illegal Israeli invasion of Lebanon.
2) Personnel and Correspondence
Meeks Moves to Subpoena Rubio, Witkoff, Kushner for Iran War Hearing. On March 25, House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (D-NY) forced a vote to subpoena Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to testify on the diplomacy preceding President Trump’s war on Iran. The motion failed in a 24–22 vote.
Graham Moves to Advance Reconciliation Bill to Fund Iran War. On March 25, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said that the committee is moving “expeditiously” to draft a second budget reconciliation bill that would include funding for the war on Iran. Graham said that he had consulted with President Trump and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and received approval to proceed with the package, which Republicans could pass by simple majority without Democratic support.
Senate Republicans Call for Briefing on October 7 Task Force. On March 24, Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) led 13 other Senate Republicans in a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Kash Patel requesting a congressional briefing on the “progress and future priorities” of the Joint Task Force October 7, which aims to target, charge, and prosecute in the United States those responsible for the October 7 attack, and investigate acts of terrorism and civil rights violations by individuals deemed to have supported or financed Hamas, Iran proxies, or their affiliates, as well as alleged acts of anti-Semitism.
Senate Democrats Criticize Decision to Ease Iran Oil Sanctions. On March 26, Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jack Reed (D-RI), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) released a statement criticizing the Trump administration’s decision to ease Iran oil sanctions.
On March 27, Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) led 23 other Senate Democrats in a letter to President Trump pressing the administration over its decision to ease sanctions on Russian and Iranian oil exports and its lack of planning for the economic fallout of the Iran war.
II. Executive Branch
1) White House
Trump Postpones Strikes on Iranian Power Plants for Five Days. On March 23, President Trump said on Truth Social that the United States would postpone strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure for five days, two days after threatening to target Iran’s power plants if it did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. He said that the United States and Iran had held “very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East,” adding that discussions would continue throughout the week.
Trump later said that the two sides were close to an agreement under which Iran would forgo nuclear weapons and enrichment, adding that the terms would make Israel “very happy.” Iran denied that talks were taking place.
MBS Said to Press Trump to Continue Iran War. On March 24, the New York Times reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has urged President Trump to continue the war against Iran, including intensified US military action such as strikes on the Islamic Republic’s energy infrastructure and the deployment of ground forces.
Trump Administration Offers 15-Point Ceasefire Plan to Iran. On March 24, the Trump administration offered Iran a 15-point ceasefire plan to halt the war, submitting it through Pakistani intermediaries. Iran rejected the plan the following day. According to Arab News, the proposal called for a rollback of Iran’s nuclear program, limits on its missile capabilities, restrictions on its support for armed groups, and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump Claims Progress in Iran Talks While Threatening Further Strikes. On March 25, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the United States is “very close to meeting the core objectives of Operation Epic Fury” and described the operation as a “resounding military triumph” that is “ahead of schedule.” She added that Iran has an opportunity to permanently abandon its nuclear ambitions and cease threatening the United States and its allies, but warned that “if Iran fails to accept the reality of the current moment…President Trump will ensure they are hit harder than they have ever been hit before.”
Later that day, Trump said that Iran has been negotiating with his administration and “badly” wants a deal, claiming that Iranian officials were not admitting to talks out of fear of being killed. The Wall Street Journal also reported that Trump is seeking to end the war within weeks, and is wary of deploying ground troops.
On March 26, Axios reported that the United States is considering options for a “final blow” to Iran if talks fail, including possible ground troop deployment and an intensified bombing campaign.
That same day, Trump said on Truth Social that Iran was “begging” for a deal and that Iranian negotiators are “very different and ‘strange,’” adding that “they better get serious soon, before it is too late.” He also attacked NATO, saying that its member states “have done absolutely nothing to help with the lunatic nation [Iran], now militarily decimated,” and that the United States “needs nothing from NATO.”
In a cabinet meeting, Trump reiterated that Iran was “begging” for a deal and dismissed reports that Iran had rejected his 15-point ceasefire plan.
Trump then announced on Truth Social that, at Iran’s request, he will delay planned strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure for 10 days (until April 6), citing what he described as progress in talks.
Trump Reportedly Rebuffs Netanyahu Proposal to Call for Iran Uprising. On March 25, Axios reported that President Trump rejected a proposal by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to jointly call on the Iranian public to take to the streets and to topple the regime, reportedly out of concern that protesters would be slaughtered.
Vance Meets Qatari Prime Minister. On March 26, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent met in Washington with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. The officials discussed US-Qatar strategic cooperation, including defense coordination and global energy security.
Trump Claims Iran Agreed to “Most of” US Demands, Floats Seizing Kharg Island. On March 27, President Trump said at a Miami event sponsored by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund that the US military is achieving its objectives in Iran but that the war is not yet finished. He said that the United States still has “another 3,554” targets to strike in Iran, which would “be done pretty quickly.”
Trump also referred to the Strait of Hormuz as the “Strait of Trump,” before correcting himself, and reiterated his call for Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords, saying that the war would transform the Middle East and “the future of that region.”
On March 29, Trump claimed on Truth Social that “many long sought after targets have been taken out and destroyed” by the US military in Iran. Earlier, he told reporters aboard Air Force One that the United States was negotiating with Iran “directly and indirectly” and that the negotiations were going “extremely well,” and said that Iran agreed to “most of” the 15-point list. He also said that the United States achieved “regime change” in Iran.
In an interview with the Financial Times on the same day, Trump said that he wants to “take the oil in Iran” and that the United States could capture the Iranian export hub on Kharg Island.
2) Department of State
Rubio Speaks with Canada and Norway. On March 23, Secretary Rubio spoke with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand to discuss international security and US efforts to increase pressure on Iran and dismantle its nuclear program. On March 25, Rubio spoke with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store to discuss the war.
With Emirati and Qatari Support, United States Secures Release of American Detained in Afghanistan. On March 24, the Department of State announced the release of an American citizen, Dennis Coyle, who had been detained in Afghanistan. The department thanked the UAE for its role in securing the release and expressed appreciation for Qatar’s continued support and advocacy for Americans detained in Afghanistan.
Rubio Raises Postwar Plan for Strait of Hormuz After G7 Meeting. On March 27, Secretary Rubio attended the G7 foreign ministers meeting in France, where he told reporters that the war in Iran is expected to last weeks, not months. Rubio also said that the “immediate challenge” after the war will be preventing Iran from disrupting maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, adding that “it’s important that the world have a plan” to preserve freedom of navigation there once US military objectives are achieved.
Department Launches Pax Silica Fund. On March 26, the Department of State announced that it intends to contribute $250 million in foreign assistance funding to the Pax Silica initiative, which aims to enhance cooperation in advanced technologies and supply chain security among participating countries, including the UAE, Israel, and Qatar.
Rubio Speaks with Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister. On March 26, Secretary Rubio spoke with Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani to discuss attacks by Iran and Iran-aligned militias targeting US citizens and energy infrastructure in Iraq. Rubio also thanked the KRG for facilitating Iraqi oil exports to global markets.
Rubio Speaks with Jordanian and Egyptian Foreign Ministers. On March 26, Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty to discuss Iran’s attacks on energy infrastructure and regional security.
Department Diverts Funds to Trump’s Board of Peace.On March 26, Semafor reported that the Department of State diverted $1.25 billion from US foreign disaster relief and peacekeeping funds to Trump’s Board of Peace.
Department Condemns Attack on Kurdistan Region President’s Residence. On March 28, the Department of State released a statement condemning attacks by Iran and its proxies targeting the residence of Iraqi Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani.
3) Department of War
Pentagon Moves to Deploy Additional Troops to Middle East Amid Iran War. On March 24, Politico reported that the Pentagon is moving to deploy around 3,000 troops from the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East, alongside thousands of Marines already being sent to support operations related to Iran. On March 26, the Wall Street Journal, citing US officials, reported that the Pentagon is considering sending up to 10,000 additional troops to the region.
On March 28, the Washington Post reported that the Department of War is preparing options for ground operations in Iran that would “fall short of a full-scale invasion but could involve thousands of troops” and last weeks or months. A day earlier, Secretary Rubio said that while Washington could achieve its objectives without ground troops, some are being deployed “to give the President maximum optionality and maximum opportunity to adjust to contingencies, should they emerge.”
CENTCOM Commander Says US Strikes Have Severely Degraded Iran’s Military Production. On March 25, CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said that US forces have struck more than 10,000 targets in Iran since the start of the war, adding that the strikes have destroyed over two-thirds of the regime’s missile, drone, and naval production facilities. He said that the United States is on “a path to completely eliminate Iran’s wider military manufacturing apparatus.”
4) Department of Education
Administration Continues Scrutiny of Harvard University. On March 23, the Department of Education announced that it has launched two investigations into Harvard. According to the press release, one will examine “alleged ongoing antisemitic harassment on Harvard’s campus and the institution’s purported failure to protect Jewish students.” The announcement came three days after the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the university alleging that it “allowed anti-semitism to flourish.” Harvard rejected the allegations, calling the lawsuit “yet another pretextual and retaliatory action” by the Trump administration.
III. Other
Newsom Says He Regrets Remarks Comparing Israel to Apartheid State. On March 24, California Governor Gavin Newsom, in an interview with Politico, backtracked on earlier remarks describing Israel as an “apartheid state,” stating that he meant that it could “apply to Israel’s future should it continue on its present trajectory.” When asked whether he considers himself a Zionist, Newsom did not respond directly but said that he “revere[s] the state of Israel,” adding that he is “proud to support” Israel but “deeply oppose[s] Bibi Netanyahu’s leadership, his opposition to the two-state solution, and…how he is indulging the far right as it relates to what’s going on in the West Bank.”
