On Thursday, Washington announced a decision to bypass conditions related to human rights to provide military aid to Egypt worth $320 million, justifying the move by the importance of security cooperation with Cairo and the “useful role” that Egypt has played since the outbreak of the American war on Iran, without clarifying the nature of this role.

Published on: 02/10/2026 - 06:14

The United States exempted $320 million in military aid to Egypt from conditions related to human rights, citing the “useful role” played by Cairo since the outbreak of the American war on Iran.

The US State Department said on Thursday that Secretary of State Marco Rubio decided to exempt this part of the military funding allocated to Egypt for the fiscal year 2025 from the requirement to issue a certificate related to human rights.

A US State Department memorandum justified the decision by the need to fund counter-terrorism, border security, and non-proliferation programs, or other programs that are important to the national security interests of the United States.

The memorandum, signed by Rubio, stated that the use of the waiver authority is necessary for relations between the United States and Egypt and for American national security priorities, “particularly in light of the beneficial role that Egypt played following Operation Epic Rage.”

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“Epic of Rage” is the name used by the US military for the war on Iran that Washington launched jointly with Israel in late February. The memorandum did not clarify the nature of the Egyptian role, which it described as “useful.”

Aid is usually subject to a human rights condition

Egypt has received US military aid amounting to about $1.3 billion annually since the late 1980s, after it began receiving significant American support following the signing of the peace treaty with Israel in 1979.

Some of this aid is subject to conditions related to human rights and democracy, with the possibility of exceeding it for reasons related to national security. Withholding parts of aid, including during the era of former US President Joe Biden, has previously led to tension between Cairo and Washington.

A US State Department spokesman said that the exemption decision was taken out of concern for the security of the United States, adding that it underscores the importance of maintaining security cooperation with Egypt at a time when the region faces major security challenges.

The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not issue a comment on the decision.

The repercussions of the war on the Egyptian economy

The decision came at a time when Egypt is facing economic pressures related to the repercussions of the war on Iran, including high fuel prices and other unrest.

The United States had previously withheld hundreds of millions of dollars in aid, along with military equipment, against the backdrop of the human rights file in Egypt.

Under Biden, Washington has withheld portions of annual military aid several times due to Egypt's human rights record. But in 2024, it granted Cairo the full allocation of $1.3 billion, bypassing human rights conditions for the first time during his administration, after the war that broke out in Gaza following the attack of October 7, 2023.

Egypt played a pivotal role in ceasefire negotiations related to military operations in Gaza, including the agreement reached in October 2025, but was less visible in mediation efforts related to the war with Iran.

Human rights organizations have accused the Egyptian authorities for years of committing widespread human rights violations, including torture and forced disappearance. On the other hand, the Egyptian authorities say that they have taken steps to improve human rights conditions, while President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi confirms that stability is a priority and that his government is working to enhance rights by providing basic needs.

France 24/Reuters

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