The U.S. State Department has waived human rights conditions for $320 million in military aid to Egypt, citing Cairo's "helpful role" following the U.S. war with Iran, according to a letter obtained by Reuters.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the determination to waive the certification requirement for FY2025 Foreign Military Financing for Egypt, according to the letter addressed to congressional committees and dated September 21. An accompanying memo, dated September 4 and signed by Rubio, stated the aid was necessary for counterterrorism, border security, or nonproliferation programs, or otherwise important to U.S. national security interests.
The memo also noted that exercising this waiver authority is essential for the U.S.-Egypt relationship and U.S. national security priorities, particularly in light of Egypt's "helpful role" following Operation Epic Fury, the name used by the U.S. military for its campaign on Iran launched alongside Israel in late February. The memo did not elaborate on Egypt's specific role.
Egypt has been a significant recipient of U.S. support since signing a peace treaty with Israel in 1979, receiving approximately $1.3 billion annually in U.S. military aid since the late 1980s. Portions of this aid are subject to human rights and democracy-related conditions that can be waived on national-security grounds, and past withholdings have caused friction between the two nations.
In 2024, the Biden administration granted Egypt the full $1.3 billion allocation for the first time during his presidency, overriding human rights conditions following the October 7 attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza. Egypt has played a central role in ceasefire negotiations concerning Gaza, though it has been less prominent in mediation efforts related to the Iran war.
Human rights groups have long accused Egypt of widespread abuses, including torture and enforced disappearances, under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. This week, Egyptian police arrested six journalists from a fact-checking outlet, accusing them of spreading misinformation, which the publication denied. Egyptian authorities maintain they have taken steps to address rights concerns, with Sisi emphasizing stability and the provision of basic needs as paramount.
