Rubio Frees $320 Million in Egypt Military Aid, Citing Cairo's Role in Iran War
State Department waives human rights condition, saying Egypt's security cooperation serves US national interests
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File photo: Official portrait of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, January 2025. Photo: U.S. Department of State, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has released $320 million in military aid to Egypt that had been held back over human rights concerns, citing Cairo's assistance to Washington since the war with Iran began, the State Department said on Thursday.
The department said Rubio approved the waiver "in the interest of U.S. national security."
"The Secretary's determination reflects the importance of Egypt to U.S. national security interests, and the concrete security cooperation Egypt provides to the United States," it said in a statement reported by The Associated Press.
Egypt's "helpful role"
In a letter to members of Congress, Rubio pointed specifically to Egypt's "helpful role" in the conflict with Iran, according to the AP. Egypt has acted as a key mediator between Washington and Tehran in efforts to wind down the war, which is now in its eighth month.
Reuters, which obtained the letter, reported that it was dated Sept. 21 and that it covered fiscal year 2025 Foreign Military Financing. The news agency said an accompanying memo signed by Rubio was dated Sept. 4.
"The waiver determination recognizes the importance of maintaining security cooperation with Egypt at a time of significant regional security challenges," the State Department said.
The funds form part of roughly $1.3 billion in annual US economic and military assistance to Egypt. Foreign Military Financing gives recipient countries money to buy US-made weapons.
Rights concerns remain on the table
Congress attached the human rights condition because of concerns over Egypt's record. In past years, the State Department has itself cited credible reports of torture, arbitrary arrest, child labour and restrictions on freedom of expression in the country, the AP and Euronews reported.
The department said the administration would keep raising human rights in its talks with Cairo "on the full range of issues in our bilateral relationship."
Waivers for Egypt have become routine under both Republican and Democratic administrations. The Biden administration last issued one in September 2024, citing Egypt's help in US efforts to end the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
Egyptian officials were not quoted in the reports.
