Vaughn Cockayne

Rubio looks to shore up support among Gulf allies as Iran threatens ships in Strait of Hormuz

Peace negotiations between the U.S. and Iran faced further challenges on Thursday as Tehran issued threats to commercial vessels traveling outside preapproved routes in the Strait of Hormuz and rejected calls to use unfrozen funds to purchase American farm goods.

June 25, 2026

Rubio: No discussion on $300 billion reconstruction fund with Gulf Cooperation Council countries

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday he did not discuss the purported $300 billion Iran reconstruction fund with Persian Gulf leaders during his visit this week, even as other U.S. officials say the Gulf Cooperation Council members will support the effort.

June 25, 2026

Oman says Strait of Hormuz transit agreements will not include tolls

Oman said Thursday that any agreements with Iran over regulations in the Strait of Hormuz will not include tolls, even as Tehran proposes imposing "service fees" on commercial ships moving through the waterway.

June 25, 2026

U.S., Iran offer different stories on nuclear inspections as negotiations continue

The U.S. and Iran presented differing narratives Tuesday on whether U.N. inspectors could visit nuclear sites and if Tehran had any interest in buying American crops, underscoring a complex start to the 60-day negotiations.

June 23, 2026

Israel attacks Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon despite ceasefire agreement

The Israeli military said Tuesday it struck armed militants in southern Lebanon after detecting a threat near soldiers in the region.

June 23, 2026

Trump insists on weapons inspections as Vance, Iran offer differing accounts of first round of talks

President Trump on Monday announced that Iran will be subject to weapons inspections as part of a comprehensive peace deal despite Tehran's assertion that negotiators made no new commitments during the first round of talks in Switzerland over the weekend.

June 22, 2026

U.S. Treasury issues 60-day license for Iran to sell oil

The U.S. Treasury Department on Monday issued a 60-day license allowing Iran to export and sell its oil, fulfilling one of the provisions in the memorandum of understanding signed between Washington and Tehran.

June 22, 2026

ODNI crisis brings up decades-old criticism of the intelligence office

President Trump has directed William J. Pulte, his temporary choice to replace Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence, to significantly downsize the office and eliminate those he sees as political enemies, sparking bipartisan outrage and dredging up criticism that has plagued the position.

June 22, 2026

Iran wants ‘commitment for commitment’ during negotiations with the U.S.

Iran struck a cautiously optimistic tone on Monday following the first round of official negotiations with the U.S. in Switzerland, reassuring hardliners that the Islamic republic will not make any concessions before ensuring Washington does as well.

June 22, 2026

Israel, Hezbollah agree to renewed ceasefire after strikes

Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militia group, agreed to pause their fighting on Friday, just hours after the Israeli military launched airstrikes on southern Lebanon.

June 19, 2026

First round of U.S.-Iran talks in Switzerland postponed

Swiss officials announced that the first round of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, scheduled to be held at the mountaintop resort of Burgenstock, had been postponed until further notice.

June 19, 2026

Trump, Vance defend U.S.-Iran pact as 60-day negotiation period starts

President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance staunchly defended the recently signed U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding on Thursday, insisting the deal will be better for regional security even as critics say it rewards Tehran.

June 18, 2026

Vance praises Iran deal, says Tehran gets no rewards without action

Vice President J.D. Vance said Thursday that the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding is the first step toward regional stability, and struck back at critics who argued the agreement rewarded Tehran.

June 18, 2026

Israel says its troops will stay in southern Lebanon, directly contradicting U.S.-Iran agreement

Israeli troops will continue to occupy large swaths of territory in southern Lebanon, the Israeli Defense Forces announced Thursday, drawing a firm rebuke from Tehran and complicating the upcoming negotiations between Iran and the U.S.

June 18, 2026

Advocacy groups push for jailed Americans to be included in U.S.-Iran negotiations

As the U.S. and Iran prepare for a consequential 60-day period of negotiations, some hope diplomats could use it as an opportunity to push for the release of Americans wrongly detained in the Islamic republic.

June 18, 2026

Major questions face U.S. counterterrorism strategy in Syria ahead of funding vote

Congress is nearing a vote on the Pentagon's request to send $130 million in military assistance to armed groups in Syria fighting the Islamic State, but changing dynamics on the ground could weaken the program's effectiveness and dampen the Trump administration's efforts to improve ties with Damascus.

June 17, 2026

Iranian FM: Israeli attack on Lebanon would breach deal with U.S.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday said continued Israeli attacks or occupation in Lebanon would constitute a violation of the recently announced memorandum of understanding with the U.S.

June 16, 2026

Trump starts to fill in details, dispel rumors as Congress demands text of U.S.-Iran deal

President Trump on Tuesday said second-stage talks over Iran's nuclear program will unfold rapidly after a preliminary deal is inked Friday and that "all hell will rain down" if Tehran violates its commitments.

June 16, 2026

Pahlavi slams U.S.-Iran deal after execution of protesters

Exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi said Tuesday that Iran's execution of two protesters arrested during January's mass demonstrations is proof that the U.S. should not be dealing with Tehran.

June 16, 2026

Trump: U.S. will not invest in Iran as questions swirl over $300 billion reconstruction fund

President Trump on Tuesday confirmed the U.S. would not pour funds into Iran as part of the preliminary peace deal signed earlier this week, even as Tehran says Washington agreed to assist in rebuilding the country.

June 16, 2026