The US Senate on Wednesday passed the Fiscal Year 2026 Intelligence Authorization Act as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, sending it to President Trump for signature.
The bipartisan bill includes provisions to counter Iranian threats, such as increased congressional transparency on Iran's uranium enrichment activities and potential weaponization decisions.
“I am also pleased that this bill... includes directing necessary resources towards defending our nation from the threats posed by Iran,” Republican senator Tom Cotton said in a joint statement with ranking member Senator Warner.
The intelligence bill requires US intelligence to warn American citizens of lethal threats from Iran and directs resources to defend against “Iranian threats.”
It also codifies travel restrictions on Iranian diplomats in the US, alongside those for Chinese, Russian, and North Korean diplomats.
Additional resources are directed toward defending the United States against various Iranian threats, including cyberattacks, proxy militias, and assassination plots.
Democratic Senator Mark Warner praised the overall bill for providing essential resources, authorities, and robust congressional oversight to the intelligence community.
“I thank my colleagues and am glad to see this bill pass once again on a strong bipartisan basis,” Senator Warner said in the joint statement.
The National Defense Authorization Act funds US defense for 2026, while Intelligence Authorization Act embedded within ensures intel focus on global threats like Iran and China.
