Vaughn Cockayne

Iran’s Parliament moves closer to formalizing control over Strait of Hormuz

Iran's Parliament took a step closer to formalizing its management over the Strait of Hormuz, the head of its National Security and Foreign Policy Committee announced Wednesday, in a move that could further weaken a ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.

May 13, 2026

South Korea considering supporting U.S. effort to secure Strait of Hormuz, defense minister says

South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said Wednesday Seoul may offer support for the U.S.-led effort to guide commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz after a South Korean vessel came under fire in the waterway last week.

May 13, 2026

Hegseth says Pentagon has plans to escalate war in Iran if necessary as fragile ceasefire holds

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers Tuesday the Pentagon is prepared to restart combat operations against Iran if necessary, even as President Trump, Pakistani mediators and Iranian officials worked behind the scenes to find a diplomatic solution to the war.

May 12, 2026

In a Middle East with a defanged Iran, Israel-Turkey tensions move to the fore

The U.S.-Iran war has reshuffled the Middle East in ways Washington is only beginning to reckon with, sparking a new era of regional geopolitical rivalries at a moment when Iran's military and its proxies have been knocked off balance.

May 12, 2026

U.S. Navy unveils 30-year plan to rebuild American shipbuilding

The Navy on Monday rolled out a 30-year plan to bolster American dominance at sea, focusing on rebuilding a stagnant industrial base and creating a lethal fighting force.

May 12, 2026

Kuwait says four men arrested for trying to infiltrate country are tied to IRGC

Kuwait's Interior Ministry announced Tuesday that four men arrested this month for attempting to enter the country illegally by sea have admitted during interrogation to being members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

May 12, 2026

Ceasefire near collapse amid ‘stupid’ Iran proposal, Trump says, raising specter of new fighting

The ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran hung by a thread Monday after President Trump panned Tehran's latest proposal as a "piece of garbage" and met with military leaders to plot his next move.

May 11, 2026

Trump says Iran ceasefire is ‘on life support’ after rejecting peace proposal

President Trump said Monday the ceasefire with Iran is "on life support" and he will meet with a large group of U.S. military advisers to discuss the next steps.

May 11, 2026

Iran calls terms of its response to U.S. deal ‘reasonable and generous’ after Trump’s rejection

Iran said Monday that Tehran's response to U.S. demands over the weekend was "reasonable and generous," despite President Trump's stern rejection.

May 11, 2026

In meeting with VP Vance, Qatar stresses importance for Pakistani mediation of U.S.-Iran war

A top Qatari official stressed the need for "all parties" to cool down tensions in the Middle East during a meeting with Vice President J.D. Vance.

May 8, 2026

Rubio says U.S. expects Iranian response to peace proposal by end of Friday

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that Washington anticipates a response from Iran on the proposed U.S. peace deal by the end of the day.

May 8, 2026

UAE actively intercepting Iranian missiles as tensions continue in Strait of Hormuz

The United Arab Emirates said Friday its air defense systems were actively intercepting Iranian ballistic missiles and drones, one day after the U.S. and Iranian forces traded fire in the Strait of Hormuz.

May 8, 2026

Iran considers U.S. peace proposal; Pakistani mediators ‘optimistic’

President Trump and his team on Thursday awaited Iran's response to a U.S. proposal to end the war and restart negotiations, a potential sign of progress even as the nations traded fire in the region and Wall Street pulled back from recent gains.

May 7, 2026

Iran holds off on U.S. peace proposal

Iran confirmed on Thursday that it is still reviewing a U.S. proposal to end the war and restart negotiations, even as President Trump threatens to launch a new bombing campaign if Tehran does not agree to talk.

May 7, 2026

Anduril awarded $100 million increase to Pentagon contract to enhance space-tracking technology

Defense technology company Anduril Industries has received a $100.3 million boost to an existing government contract to improve the system the U.S. military uses to monitor objects in space.

May 7, 2026

Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson: U.S.-Iran peace deal expected ‘sooner rather than later’

Pakistan said Thursday it expects the U.S. and Iran to strike a deal to end the war "sooner rather than later," as President Trump threatens further military action if Washington's demands are not accepted.

May 7, 2026

Iran weighs new U.S. ceasefire-negotiation proposal amid Trump threats to restart bombing campaign

Iranian officials are considering a new proposal from the U.S. that could jump-start peace negotiations as President Trump threatens to resume a devastating bombing campaign if Tehran does not agree.

May 6, 2026

China pushes for ‘comprehensive ceasefire’ to end Iran war in meeting with Iranian FM Araghchi

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosted his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, for talks in Beijing Wednesday and pushed for an agreement that would end hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

May 6, 2026

Rubio: U.S. operation in Strait of Hormuz is purely defensive

Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday clarified that "Project Freedom," the U.S. operation to guide commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, is purely defensive.

May 5, 2026

U.S. says ceasefire with Iran intact despite skirmishes at sea, missile strikes

The U.S. ceasefire with Iran is intact despite a second day of hostilities in the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on a critical Persian Gulf ally, the Trump administration said Tuesday.

May 5, 2026