Abraham Accords Defense Against Terror Act
This bill fast-tracks U.S. foreign weapons sales, leases, and defense equipment transfers to Middle Eastern and North African countries that have established official diplomatic ties with Israel and partner with the U.S. against Iranian threats. It shortens the mandatory congressional review period for these defense deals to 15 days. Before completing any transfer, the President must certify that the weapons help counter regional threats from Iran and its proxies while proving that safeguards prevent sensitive U.S. military technology from leaking to China or Russia.
What this bill touches.
Who it helps · who it burdens.
Who it helps
- Middle East and North African countries with normalized ties to IsraelReceive expedited approvals, sales, leases, export licenses, and transfers for U.S. defense equipment and services, with congressional review windows reduced to 15 days (Sec. 2(b), Sec. 2(c)).
- Government of IsraelProtected by a statutory rule of construction ensuring that expedited defense transfers to regional partners cannot be interpreted to diminish or harm its qualitative military edge (Sec. 3).
Who it burdens
- Department of StateMust identify qualifying partner nations, approve expedited defense exports, and draft and submit a strategy report to Congress every 60 days assessing regional threats, interoperability, and major arms sales (Sec. 2(b), Sec. 2(d)).
- Executive Office of the PresidentMust provide certifications to Congress at least 15 days before approving defense sales or transfers, explaining how they counter Iranian threats and detailing safeguards against technology theft by China or Russia (Sec. 2(c)).
Who opposes it
- Government of Iran and Iran-aligned entitiesOperative policy and expedited defense transfers specifically target, counter, and combat threats posed by the Iranian government and aligned proxy groups such as Hezbollah and the Houthis (Sec. 2(a), Sec. 2(b), Sec. 2(d)).
The provisions, in plain language.
Directs the Secretary of State to identify Middle East and North African countries that have normalized diplomatic ties with Israel and cooperate against Iranian threats, and approve expedited sales, leases, export licenses, and transfers of U.S. defense equipment and services to those countries.
Shortens the congressional notification window to 15 days before final approval of defense sales or transfers to identified countries, and requires the President to certify how each transfer counters Iranian threats and protects sensitive U.S. technology from being acquired by China or Russia.
Requires the Secretary of State to submit a strategy to Congress every 60 days assessing regional threats from Iran, defense cooperation and equipment compatibility challenges, and the status and delivery timelines of pending arms sales over $25 million to identified countries.
Clarifies that expedited defense transfers under this Act cannot be interpreted to diminish or harm Israel's qualitative military edge.