US Waives Human Rights Conditions On Egypt Military Aid

The United States has waived human rights conditions attached to $320 million in military aid to Egypt, citing Cairo’s role in supporting US security interests following Washington’s military campaign against Iran.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the determination to waive the certification requirement for the $320 million in fiscal 2025 Foreign Military Financing for Egypt, according to a September 21 letter to congressional committees seen by Reuters. The State Department later confirmed the decision.

An accompanying memo said the funding was necessary for counterterrorism, border security and non-proliferation programmes, or was otherwise important to US national security interests.

The memo said the waiver was particularly important for the US-Egypt relationship in light of Egypt’s “helpful role” following Operation Epic Fury, the name used by the US military for its campaign against Iran launched alongside Israel in late February. The memo did not provide details about Egypt’s role.

Egypt has received significant US military support since it signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1979. It has received about $1.3 billion annually in US military aid since the late 1980s, although part of the funding has been subject to human rights and democracy-related conditions that can be waived on national security grounds.

A State Department spokesperson said the waiver was made in the interest of US security and recognised the importance of maintaining security cooperation with Egypt amid regional security challenges.

Egypt’s Foreign Ministry did not immediately comment.

The decision comes as the conflict involving Iran has placed economic pressure on Egypt through higher fuel prices and other disruptions.

The United States has previously withheld portions of Egypt’s military assistance over concerns about human rights. Under former President Joe Biden, Washington withheld portions of the annual military allocation on several occasions.

In 2024, however, the Biden administration waived human rights conditions and approved the full $1.3 billion military allocation for Egypt.

Egypt has also played a role in ceasefire negotiations involving the Gaza conflict, including a truce agreement reached in October 2025.

Rights groups have long accused the Egyptian government of human rights abuses, including torture and enforced disappearances. Egyptian authorities have rejected such criticism and said the government has taken steps to address rights and improve living conditions.

SOURCE: Reuters