U.S. lifts human rights conditions on $320 million in military aid to Egypt: the decision, over Cairo’s “supporting role” in the war with Iran

The U.S. State Department has lifted human rights conditions on more than $300 million in military aid to Egypt, justifying the decision by Cairo’s “supporting role” since the start of the U.S. war with Iran, according to a letter to American lawmakers obtained by Reuters.

“Secretary of State Marco Rubio has decided to waive the certification requirement for $320 million of fiscal year 2025 FMF funding for Egypt,” says the letter to several congressional committees, dated September 21. According to an accompanying memorandum, this portion of the military aid was deemed “necessary for counterterrorism, border security or nonproliferation programs, or otherwise important to the national security interest of the United States.”

The memorandum, dated September 4 and signed by Rubio, says exercising this authority “is essential to the U.S.–Egypt relationship and U.S. national security priorities, particularly in light of Egypt’s supporting role following Operation Epic Fury” — the name the U.S. military uses for the campaign against Iran launched together with Israel in late February. The memorandum does not explain what exactly this “supporting role” consists of; two Washington sources familiar with the letter confirmed to Reuters that the document is authentic.

Egypt has received substantial American support since signing the peace treaty with Israel in 1979, and around $1.3 billion in military aid a year since the late 1980s. Part of that aid is subject to conditions tied to human rights and democracy, which can be waived on national security grounds — the withholding of these funds, even under former President Joe Biden, has caused friction between Cairo and Washington in the past.

The war with Iran has added to Egypt’s economic pressure through higher fuel prices and other disruptions, while Cairo has also played a key role in the Gaza ceasefire negotiations, although its mediating role in the conflict with Iran has been more limited. So far, neither the State Department nor Egypt’s Foreign Ministry has commented on the decision.