I. Legislative Branch
1) Legislation
Senators Introduce “Save the Kurds Act.” On the heels of the recent Syrian armed forces’ attack on the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) on January 29 introduced S.3740, the Save the Kurds Act. The legislation would impose sanctions on Syrian government officials and financial institutions, as well as on any foreign individual who engages in transactions with the Syrian government, including military or financial support. The legislation also recognizes the SDF for their cooperation with the United States in combating the so-called Islamic State, would redesignate Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, and would require congressional review before Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism can be lifted.
Two days earlier, on January 27, Sen. Graham criticized Saudi Arabia, calling on it to end its “attack on the United Arab Emirates” and saying that its “silence regarding the Syrian government’s constant assault on the Kurds has to change,” urging the kingdom to act to “keep the region from falling further into chaos.”
Senate Resolution Seeks to Prevent Use of US Forces in Unauthorized Hostilities with Iran. On January 29, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced S.J.Res.104, a joint resolution that would direct the removal of US forces from hostilities in or against Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.
House Bill to Require Report on Shireen Abu Akleh’s Death. On January 30, Rep. André Carson (D-IN) introduced H.R.7281, which would require a report on the death of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.
Senate Passes FY26 Consolidated Appropriations Act. On January 30, the Senate passed H.R.7148, the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Consolidated Appropriations Act. The legislation includes the FY26 defense appropriations bill, which provides funding for Bahrain, the Lebanese Armed Forces, Israel, and Jordan and fully funds the Counter-ISIS Train and Equip Fund for Iraq and Syria.
2) Personnel and Correspondence
Senators Urge Rubio to Boost Internet Freedom Support for Iran. On January 28, Sens. James Lankford (R-OK), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Cory Booker (D-NJ) sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging the administration to “surge resources to quickly enable critical internet freedom support” for protesters in Iran.
II. Executive Branch
1) White House
Trump Warns Iran to Make Nuclear Deal or Face “Far Worse” Attack. On January 26, the New York Times reported that President Donald Trump had received multiple intelligence assessments indicating that the Iranian government’s grip on power is at its weakest point since the 1979 revolution. The same day, CENTCOM said that it would conduct multi-day airpower exercises in the Middle East “to demonstrate the ability to deploy, disperse, and sustain combat airpower.” The announcement came after the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group arrived in the region, positioning it to support potential US military operations related to Iran.
On January 28, Trump said that “a massive armada is heading to Iran” and urged Tehran to negotiate a nuclear deal, saying that “time is running out” and warning that any future US attack would be “far worse.” Trump compared the buildup to the forces he deployed near Venezuela, ahead of the operation to seize President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in January.
The same day, during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Secretary Rubio told lawmakers that the military buildup around Iran was largely “defensive,” noting that tens of thousands of US troops in the region are “within the reach of Iranian one-way drones and ballistic missiles.” Rubio said that it was “wise and prudent” to increase the US presence but added that US forces could also “preemptively act” against Iran. He also said that if the regime were to fall, there was no “simple answer” as to what would follow.
Trump Says Hamas Helped Locate Final Hostage, Reiterates Call for Disarmament. On January 26, President Trump said that Hamas had helped Israel locate the body of the final Israeli hostage in Gaza, while reiterating his demand that the group disarm. Earlier that day, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner highlighted coordination among the United States, Israel, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and “many cooperative Gazans” in efforts to locate and return the bodies of all deceased hostages from Gaza. A US official also reportedly said that Hamas disarmament would involve “some sort of amnesty,” adding that “we think we have a very good program to disarm.”
On January 29, Trump said that he was planning to talk to Iran. On the same day, Reuters reported that Trump was weighing options against Iran that include targeted strikes on security forces and senior officials, with some discussions focused on creating conditions for “regime change.” US officials also reportedly said that options under consideration also include a larger strike potentially targeting Iran’s nuclear or ballistic missile programs.
On February 1, Trump said that he hoped to reach a deal with Iran, after Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warned that any US attack would trigger a regional war. Trump said that “hopefully we’ll make a deal. If we don’t make a deal, then we’ll find out whether or not he was right.”
Trump Says United States Will End Support for Iraq if al-Maliki Is Reinstated as Prime Minister. On January 27, President Trump said on social media that the United States would end its support for Iraq if former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki returns to office. The threat followed Iraq’s dominant Shia political bloc, the Coordination Framework, announcing its backing of al-Maliki, whom the administration views as closely aligned with Iran.
2) Department of State
United States Welcomes Oman’s Signing of Artemis Accords. On January 26, the Department of State welcomed Oman’s signing of the Artemis Accords, a set of principles guiding cooperation in peaceful space exploration.
United States, Bahrain Hold Fifth Strategic Dialogue. On January 26, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker and Bahraini Acting Under Secretary for Political Affairs Abdulla bin Ahmed Ali Al Khalifa led the fifth US-Bahrain Strategic Dialogue in Manama. The discussions focused on regional and maritime security, Gaza, Iran, Syria, Yemen, and the Abraham Accords. The two sides also discussed counterterrorism, border security cooperation, and economic ties.
Barrack Warns Against “Iran-Installed” Government in Iraq. On January 26, US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack said that he had a productive call with Kurdistan Democratic Party leader Masoud Barzani and said, regarding Iraq, that “a government installed by Iran will not be successful, neither for Iraqi or Syrian aspirations for a brighter future, nor for an effective partnership with the United States.”
US and European Countries Welcome Syria Ceasefire. On January 27, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany welcomed the 15-day extension of the ceasefire between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces and urged all parties to strictly adhere to the agreement.
United States, Partners Meet to Advance UN Sanctions Implementation on Iran. On January 27, the Department of State said that the United States and 40 partner countries met last week in Prague to advance implementation of reimposed UN Security Council resolutions on Iran.
United States Resumes Food Assistance to Somalia. On January 28, the United States announced that it would resume food distribution in Somalia. The decision follows a January 7 announcement by the Department of State that it had suspended all assistance to Somalia’s federal government over allegations that Somali officials destroyed a US-funded World Food Programme warehouse and seized food aid intended for civilians.
UN Ambassador Discusses Hamas Demilitarization in Gaza. On January 28, US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz told the UN Security Council that Gaza would be demilitarized through a negotiated process that includes decommissioning Hamas weapons, supported by an internationally funded weapons buyback program. He also said that Hamas must have no role in Gaza’s future governance, “directly or indirectly, in any form.”
Saudi Defense Minister Meets with Senior US Officials. On January 29, Saudi Minister of Defense Khalid bin Salman met in Washington with Secretary Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss US-Saudi ties and areas of mutual interest. He also met with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC).
Rubio Speaks with UAE Foreign Minister. On January 30, Secretary Rubio spoke with UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss implementation of phase two of the Gaza peace plan. They also discussed Yemen and Houthi threats and the need for a humanitarian ceasefire in Sudan.
Department Approves Military Sale to Saudi Arabia. On January 30, the Department of State approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Saudi Arabia of Patriot interceptor missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $9 billion.
Department Approves More Than $6 Billion in Military Sales to Israel. On January 30, the Department of State approved four possible Foreign Military Sales to Israel totaling more than $6.6 billion. The potential sales include AW119Kx Light Utility Helicopters and related equipment valued at $150 million; Namer Armored Personnel Carrier power packs and integrated logistics support valued at $740 million; AH-64E Apache helicopters and related equipment valued at $3.8 billion; and Joint Light Tactical Vehicles and related equipment valued at $1.98 billion.
On the same day, House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (D-NY) released a statement criticizing the Trump administration for bypassing congressional oversight and advancing the arms sales without committee review. He said that the administration “has blatantly ignored long-standing Congressional prerogatives while also refusing to engage Congress on critical questions about the next steps in Gaza and broader US-Israel policy.”
Special Envoy for Iraq Reportedly No Longer in Post. On January 31, Reuters reported that President Trump’s special envoy to Iraq, Mark Savaya, is no longer serving in that role.
3) Department of War
AFRICOM Conducts More Strikes in Somalia. On January 25-26 and on January 29, US forces conducted airstrikes against al-Shabab in Somalia. On January 30, US forces conducted airstrikes against the so-called Islamic State in Somalia.
CENTCOM Urges Iran to Refrain from “Escalatory Behavior” at Sea. On January 30, CENTCOM released a statement urging Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to conduct its announced two-day naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz “in a manner that is safe, professional, and avoids unnecessary risk to freedom of navigation for international maritime traffic,” warning that “any unsafe and unprofessional behavior near US forces, regional partners, or commercial vessels increases risks of collision, escalation, and destabilization.” On February 1, the Times of Israel reported that an Iranian official denied that Iran had any plans to conduct such exercises.
4) Department of the Treasury
Treasury Sanctions Iranian Officials Over Crackdown on Protesters. On January 30, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned six Iranian officials, including Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni Kalagari, for overseeing security forces involved in violent crackdowns on protesters. OFAC also designated Iranian investor Babak Morteza Zanjani for allegedly embezzling billions in oil revenue and sanctioned two digital asset exchanges linked to him.
