I. Legislative Branch
1) Legislation
Nearly All Senate Democrats Support Resolution Seeking Information on Israel’s Human Rights Practices. On September 29, the Senate blocked S.Res.852, a resolution introduced by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) requesting information on Israel’s human rights practices under Section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. The resolution would require the Department of State to report to Congress on increasing Israeli settler and military violence in the occupied West Bank, including information on investigations into the killings of at least nine US citizens and the detention of Palestinian children. The measure failed in a 47-51 vote, largely along party lines, with Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) joining Democrats in support of the bill and Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) opposing it.
Despite the resolution failing to pass, the vote marked a shift among Democrats on Israeli occupation and settler violence in the West Bank. In January 2024, the Senate voted on a similar resolution (S.Res.504), introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT). However, the resolution failed to move forward by a vote of 72-11, with only nine Democrats supporting the resolution.
Senate Bill Would Restrict Aid to Palestinian Governing Entities. On September 29, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced S.5589, which would prohibit US foreign assistance to the Palestinian Authority and other Palestinian governing entities in the occupied West Bank and Gaza “unless certain conditions are met.” At present, it is unclear what those conditions are.
House Bill Would Sanction Illegal Israeli Settlements. On October 1, Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX) introduced H.R.10642, which would require sanctions on foreign individuals and entities involved in the construction or expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and Gaza. The bill would also prohibit imports of goods produced in those settlements.
2) Personnel and Correspondence
Gottheimer and LaHood Visit Lebanon for Talks with Lebanese Officials. On October 1, Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Darin LaHood (R-IL) returned from a bipartisan House Intelligence Committee delegation to Lebanon, where they discussed implementation of the Trilateral Framework between Israel, Lebanon, and the United States, as well as Hezbollah’s disarmament, Iranian influence on the country, backing Lebanese state institutions, and relations with Israel. The lawmakers met with President Joseph Aoun, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, Lebanese Forces Party leader Samir Geagea, and several Members of Parliament.
II. Executive Branch
1) White House
Trump Threatens Iran if Linked to Israel-Bound Flight Incident. On October 1, President Donald Trump said that if Iran is linked to the copilot who tried to crash an Israel-bound FlyDubai flight, the Islamic Republic would be struck “very hard.”
2) Department of State
Rubio and Bessent Meet Lebanese Officials. On September 28, Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in Washington to discuss Lebanon’s implementation of the Trilateral Framework and US support for Lebanese state sovereignty.
On the same day, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent met with Salam and Lebanese Minister of Finance Yassine Jaber to discuss efforts to disrupt Iranian and Hezbollah financial networks, while advancing financial sector reforms in Lebanon.
Rubio Meets with Saudi Foreign Minister. On September 28, Secretary Rubio met with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Washington to discuss bilateral cooperation on regional security and stability, including in Gaza, Iran, Lebanon, and Sudan.
United States Removes Syria from Arms Export Ban. On September 30, the Department of State announced that Syria would be removed from the list of countries subject to a policy of denial for US arms export licenses under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Under the change, which took effect on October 1, requests for arms sales to Syria would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The move follows the Trump administration’s broader easing of restrictions on Syria, including Secretary Rubio’s August 2026 decision to rescind Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism.
United States, Italy Co-Chair Coalition Meeting on Iraq and Syria. On October 1, the United States and Italy co-chaired a “Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS/Daesh” meeting in Rome focused on Iraq and Syria. Coalition members reaffirmed support for both governments’ efforts to counter the efforts of the so-called Islamic State and announced more than $75 million in commitments for Syrian counterterrorism, detention capacity, health and sanitation services, and support for displaced and detained populations in Iraq and Syria.
Department Waives Human Rights Restrictions on $320 Million in Military Aid to Egypt. On October 1, the Department of State announced that Secretary Rubio had waived restrictions on $320 million in military assistance to Egypt that had been withheld over human rights concerns. The Department cited Egypt’s security cooperation with the United States, including its role in the Iran war.
The funding is part of the $1.3 billion in annual US assistance provided to Egypt.
Rubio Speaks with the King of Jordan. On October 2, Secretary Rubio spoke with King Abdullah II of Jordan to discuss regional issues, including the implementation of the Trilateral Framework in Lebanon, efforts to disarm Hezbollah, and stability in Syria.
3) Department of War
Pentagon Says US Troop Withdrawal from Iraq Is Complete. On September 30, CENTCOM announced the completion of the US military withdrawal from Iraq, ending Operation Inherent Resolve in the country. The taskforce overseeing operations to counter the so-called Islamic State has relocated to Jordan, while US forces will continue the mission in Syria. The final withdrawal framework was agreed by the Biden administration and the Iraqi government in 2024.
President Trump welcomed the withdrawal, calling the US involvement in Iraq a “quagmire” caused by “very bad decision-making” and describing the departure as a victory over the so-called Islamic State. He also praised Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi.
United States Deploys Third Aircraft Carrier to the Middle East. On October 1, a US official said that the US military was deploying roughly 9,000 troops, including more than 7,000 sailors and 2,000 Marines, to the Middle East aboard a group of ships that includes a third aircraft carrier. The deployment could put three US aircraft carriers in the region as early as the end of October, raising the US naval presence in the region to more than 20,000 sailors and Marines and hundreds of aircraft. The deployment comes as President Trump has warned of possible new strikes against Iran.
4) Department of the Treasury
Treasury and Department of State Target Iran’s Weapons Procurement Networks. On September 29, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated ten entities and individuals allegedly involved in procuring weapons and weapons components for Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics.
Concurrently, the Department of State announced sanctions on 13 individuals and entities allegedly supporting Iran’s weapons procurement efforts.
Treasury Expands Sanctions on Iran’s Industrial and Financial Networks. On October 1, the Department of the Treasury imposed additional sanctions on companies in Iran’s automotive and rail sectors along with their foreign suppliers.
Separately, the Treasury took action against the A7 Network, a shadow banking network with ties to Russia, which Treasury said Iran has used to evade sanctions. OFAC designated the network as a significant transnational criminal organization, while the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network proposed a rule to prohibit fund transfers involving its sub-agents.
Treasury Targets Hamas Financing Network. On October 2, OFAC sanctioned a member of Hamas’s military wing, two France-based individuals, and two affiliated entities for allegedly providing financial support to Hamas.
