I. Legislative Branch
1) Legislation
Gottheimer Introduces Measures on Hamas Disarmament and UN Designations. On October 6, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) introduced H.Res.1618, honoring the victims and hostages of the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel and calling for the complete disarmament of Hamas to secure a “durable end to the war in Gaza.”
On the same day, Gottheimer also introduced H.R.10757, which would bar US contributions to the United Nations (UN) until the UN designates Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations.
House Resolution Reaffirms US-German Ties and Support for Israel. On October 6, Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA) introduced H.Res.1619, reaffirming US-German friendship and continued cooperation. The resolution also states that the two countries stand in “firm and unwavering solidarity with Israel” following the October 7 attacks.
Khanna Introduces War Powers Resolution on US Hostilities Against the Houthis. On October 9, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) introduced H.Con.Res.124, a war powers resolution directing the president to remove US forces from hostilities against the Houthis in Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress.
2) Personnel and Correspondence
House Democrats Demand Release of DACA Recipient Detained After Pro-Palestine Activism. On October 8, Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) and Al Green (D-TX) led 21 other House Democrats in a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director David Venturella demanding the release of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient Ya’akub Ira Vijandre. The lawmakers said that Vijandre’s October 7, 2025, detention appeared to be based primarily on his speech and social media activity, including speaking out against Israel’s genocide in Gaza; criticizing the treatment of Guantanamo detainees; and engaging with Islamic religious content on social media, such as posts containing Quranic verses.
House Democrats Press Department of War on Iran Civilian Deaths. On October 8, Reps. Jason Crow (D-CO), Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ), and Sara Jacobs (D-CA) led 71 other House Democrats in a letter to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth calling on the Department of War to provide answers about civilian casualties from US military operations in Iran.
Lawmakers Welcome Syria’s Labor Reforms. On October 10, Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Joni Ernst (R-IA), along with Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), welcomed Syria’s steps to revise its labor law and said that US International Development Finance Corporation support could help finance projects in Syria.
II. Executive Branch
1) White House
Trump Links Protests in France to Migration and Islam. On October 6, President Donald Trump framed the mass student protests in France as stemming from what he called “out of control mass migration” and claimed that Islam was seeking to “take over” the country. The protestors, however, have largely centered their demands on increased education funding, more teachers, and better school conditions.
Trump Targets Somali Immigrants in Minnesota. On October 8, President Trump accused Somali immigrants of instigating violence and disorder in Minnesota. He urged residents to “fight back,” and said that the federal government would intervene if requested.
Trump Says the United States Will Not Attack Iran Before Midterm Elections. On October 8, President Trump said that the United States would not launch an attack on Iran before the November midterm elections, adding that the two countries were having “productive” talks about ending the war.
Earlier in the week, on October 5, Vice President JD Vance said that Iran would need to make a “meaningful” reduction in its uranium enrichment capacity as part of an agreement, while on October 7, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Iran cannot be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.
Trump Says the United States May Join Saudi Strikes on Houthis After Riyadh Airport Attacks. On October 10, President Trump said that Washington was evaluating whether to join Saudi Arabia in strikes against the Houthis following attacks on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport. The same day, Secretary Rubio called for an end to “these reprehensible attacks.”
2) Department of State
Department Approves Military Sales to Egypt, Kuwait, and the UAE. On October 2, the Department of State approved possible Foreign Military Sales valued at $1.041 billion to the United Arab Emirates for Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System-II guidance sections and related equipment; $832 million to Egypt for Javelin missile systems; and $400 million to Kuwait for Patriot Missile Repair and Return services and related equipment.
The United States and Partner Countries Condemn Alleged Iranian Activity in Western Hemisphere. On October 5, the United States, Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, and Trinidad and Tobago condemned what they described as Iranian and Iranian-backed activity in the Western Hemisphere, citing lethal plots, illicit fundraising, political interference, and efforts to strengthen terrorist networks.
US Envoy Reaffirms Support for Political Solution in Sudan. On October 5, US Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs Massad Boulos reaffirmed US support for Sudan’s unity and sovereignty and for efforts to end the war and advance a civilian-led transition, after he met with General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces, on the sidelines of the African Union Coordination Meeting in New Alamein City, Egypt.
The United States Sanctions the International Criminal Court. On October 9, the United States imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), escalating its campaign against the court over its investigations of the United States and its allies, including Israel. The US measures restricted the ICC’s access to US financial services, technology companies, and dollar transactions, while giving US companies and individuals six months to wind down existing business with the court.
The action came hours after former ICC judge Navi Pillay was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Pillay previously chaired a UN commission that concluded that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza. Later that day, President Trump complained on Truth Social about not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize and said that Pillay “hates Israel.” He also claimed credit for resolving eight conflicts, including those between Israel and Iran, Israel and Hamas, and Egypt and Ethiopia, and said that he had prevented Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
The latest measures followed US sanctions earlier in 2026 against several ICC judges and prosecutors, UN Special Rapporteur on Palestine Francesca Albanese, and Palestinian rights groups that had provided evidence to the court concerning Israeli war crimes.
The United States and Allies Back UK Allegations of Iranian Role in RAF Fairford Incident. On October 12, the United States and 28 other countries issued a joint statement supporting the United Kingdom’s attribution of Iranian involvement in a September 27 incident at RAF Fairford, a US-run military airbase in England. The statement also accused Iran of using covert networks and proxy actors to carry out violent attacks and other hostile activities abroad.
Rubio Speaks with British Foreign Secretary. On October 12, Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband about safeguarding transit through the Strait of Hormuz, the war with Iran, and cooperation to stabilize global energy markets, among other issues.
3) Department of War
US Forces Disable Vessel Attempting to Run Iran Blockade. On October 10, CENTCOM said that US forces had disabled a commercial cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman after its crew ignored warnings and attempted to violate the US naval blockade of Iran. CENTCOM also said that US forces had destroyed 10 tankers linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps shadow network since the blockade resumed on July 14.
4) Department of the Treasury
United States Targets Iran’s Shadow Fleet. On October 8, the Department of the Treasury sanctioned 17 entities and their shadow fleet vessels, while the Department of State sanctioned 10 entities, six individuals, and five vessels involved in trading Iranian-origin petroleum, petroleum products, and petrochemicals.
