I. Legislative Branch
1) Legislation
House Bill Would Revoke Tax-Exempt Status for Nonprofits Receiving Funds from Iran. On March 30, Rep. Keith Self (R-TX) introduced H.R.8166, which would revoke tax-exempt status for nonprofit organizations that accept contributions from citizens or nationals of foreign adversary countries, including Iran, and allow additional countries to be designated when “it is in the national security interest of the United States.”
2) Personnel and Correspondence
Senate Democrats Press Hegseth on Reported Attempts to Invest in Defense Firms Ahead of Iran War. On April 1, Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) raised concerns in a letter to Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth that he may have violated his federal ethics agreement following reports that his broker attempted to make a multimillion-dollar investment in defense companies ahead of the Iran war.
House Democrats Warn Rubio Against Ending Aid to Somalia and Other African Countries. On March 30, House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (D-NY) and Africa Subcommittee Ranking Member Sara Jacobs (D-CA), joined by other Democrats on the Africa Subcommittee, sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, urging the administration not to end lifesaving assistance to seven African countries, including Somalia, warning that doing so would put lives at risk and undermine US national security.
House Democrats Urge Diplomatic End to Iran War. On April 1, Reps. Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Adam Smith (D-WA), and Jim Himes (D-CT) urged President Donald Trump to use his national address to announce a ceasefire and pursue a diplomatic end to the war with Iran.
II. Executive Branch
1) White House
Trump Threatens to “Blow Up” Iran’s Power Plants; Rubio Says Talks Underway. On March 30, President Trump said on Truth Social that the United States is in serious discussions with “a new, and more reasonable, regime” to end military operations in Iran. He threatened to “[blow] up and completely [obliterate]” Iran’s energy infrastructure if a deal is not reached.
On the same day, in an interview with Al Jazeera, Secretary Rubio said that talks with Iran are underway through intermediaries, adding that Trump “always prefers diplomacy.” Rubio said that the United States would continue its military campaign until Tehran abandons its nuclear and missile programs and that the Strait of Hormuz would be kept open “one way or another.” Rubio also said that the United States would welcome political change in Iran if the opportunity emerged, but emphasized that it is not an official objective of the military operation.
Trump Continues to Lash Out at European Allies. On March 31, President Trump criticized US allies, including the United Kingdom, on Truth Social for refusing to join the war against Iran, saying that the United States “won’t be there to help you anymore” and telling them to “go get your own oil.” In a separate post, he criticized France for not allowing “planes headed to Israel, loaded up with military supplies, [to] fly over French territory,” calling the country “VERY UNHELPFUL.”
A day earlier, in an interview with Al Jazeera, Secretary Rubio criticized NATO allies for denying the United States access to airspace and bases during the war, warning that Washington needs to “reexamine” its relationship with NATO.
Trump Threatens to “Blast Iran Back to the Stonge Ages.” On April 1, President Trump claimed on Truth Social that Iran wanted a ceasefire, saying that the United States would only consider it if the Strait of Hormuz is reopened. He added that “until then, we are blasting Iran into oblivion or, as they say, back to the Stone Ages!!!” Iran denied the claim, calling the remarks “false and baseless.”
The Wall Street Journal reported on March 31 that Trump signaled to aides that he would be willing to end the war without fully reopening the waterway.
Trump Attempts to Justify Iran War in National Address. On April 1, President Trump delivered his first national address since the war on Iran began, offering little clarity on strategy while reiterating previous statements. He said that the operation’s “core strategic objectives are nearing completion,” citing the degradation of Iran’s missiles, drones, and navy. However, he projected another two to three weeks of military activity, threatening again to bring Iran “back to the stone ages” while also stating that “discussions are ongoing.”
Trump attempted to clarify his objectives in the war, emphasizing the destruction of Iran’s nuclear capabilities, and insisted that he had never called for “regime change,” despite having done so following the initial attack by the United States and Israel on February 28.
Additionally, he warned that the United States could strike Iran’s power plants and oil infrastructure if a deal is not reached and that it is surveilling Iran’s nuclear sites and would respond if Iran were to “make a move” toward them.
Trump also blamed Iran for what he called a “short-term” increase in gas prices and insisted that the United States is energy independent, saying that the nation “imports almost no oil through the Hormuz Strait and won’t be taking any in the future. We don’t need it.” He also called on countries that receive oil through the Strait to show “courage” and seize the key waterway.
Earlier in the day, speaking at a White House Easter lunch in a since-removed video, Trump suggested that the United States could seize Iran’s oil “easily” before saying he was “not sure that the people in our country have the patience to do that.”
Later, on April 3, Trump said on Truth Social that the United States could open the Strait with more time and “TAKE THE OIL, & MAKE A FORTUNE.”
In response to Trump’s address, Democratic lawmakers questioned the administration’s strategy, with Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) warning that there is no clear plan for how the war will end and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) criticizing the administration for failing to clarify its strategy and for continuing the war.
Trump Issues New Threats Against Iran. On April 2, the US military struck a major bridge near Tehran, with President Trump celebrating the strike on Truth Social and warning that there is more to follow if a deal is not reached.
On April 4, Trump warned that “all Hell will reign down” on Iran within 48 hours if it does not make concessions or open the Strait of Hormuz. On the same day, he also claimed that many of Iran’s military leaders were killed in a strike.
The next day, Trump said that April 7 “will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran… Open the Fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah.” Later, Trump posted again, “Tuesday, 8:00 PM Eastern Time,” an apparent extension of his April 6 deadline.
In an interview with Fox News after those remarks, Trump said that he believes that there is a “good chance” of reaching a deal with Iran, adding that negotiations were ongoing. He reiterated that if an agreement is not reached, he is considering “blowing everything up and taking over the oil.”
Trump Speaks with UAE President. On April 1, President Trump spoke with United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss the Iran war.
Trump Seeks $1.5 Trillion Defense Budget.On April 3, the White House requested about $1.5 trillion in defense spending for fiscal year (FY) 2027, an increase of about $455 billion over FY 2026. If enacted, that amount would make military spending the highest in modern history.
2) Department of State
United States Revokes Green Cards of Iranian Nationals with Alleged Ties to Regime. On April 4, the Department of State announced that the United States revoked the permanent residency of two women, Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter, whom it said are related to Qassem Soleimani. In a statement, the Department of State described Soleimani Afshar as “an outspoken supporter of the totalitarian, terrorist regime in Iran.” The Department also said that Afshar’s husband has been barred from entering the United States.
3) Department of War
CENTCOM Commander Meets IDF Chief. From March 29–30, Adm. Brad Cooper met in Israel with Israel Defense Forces Chief of the General Staff Eyal Zamir to discuss operations against Iran and to reaffirm the US-Israel defense partnership.
Another Aircraft Carrier Deploys to Middle East. On March 31, the Associated Press reported that the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush is heading to the Middle East along with three destroyers.
CENTCOM Announces Rescue of F-15E Aircrew. On April 4, US forces completed the rescue of two American service members from Iran after their F-15E fighter jet was shot down on April 2 during a combat mission, according to a CENTCOM press release, with Trump calling it “one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in US History.”
