Vaughn Cockayne

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

Trump optimistic about Iran deal even as questions linger about Lebanon, remaining nuclear material

President Trump struck an optimistic tone Monday while touting the U.S.-Iran peace deal, predicting it will transform the Middle East even as daunting questions remain about fighting in Lebanon and the future of Tehran's nuclear program.

June 15, 2026

Iran: Lebanon’s sovereignty is a necessary part of the peace deal

Iran on Monday said the recent memorandum of understanding with the U.S. guaranteed a ceasefire in Lebanon and indicated it would not stand for further Israeli attacks on the country.

June 15, 2026

Israel refuses to pull back in Lebanon despite U.S.-Iran deal

Israel signaled Monday it has no intentions of stopping combat operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, despite the U.S.-Iran deal promising a ceasefire on all fronts.

June 15, 2026

Trump says war-ending deal with Iran reached

President Trump and the prime minister of Pakistan said Sunday that the U.S. and Iran had reached an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end more than three months of war.

June 14, 2026

Trump urges restraint in Lebanon as peace deal hangs in the balance

President Trump on Sunday urged Israel and Hezbollah to halt further retaliatory strikes as the U.S. and Iran work to finalize a peace deal.

June 14, 2026

Trump cancels strikes on Iran, predicts deal signing soon

President Trump on Thursday abruptly canceled planned strikes against Iran, citing a breakthrough in peace talks and the likely signing of a deal to wind down hostilities.

June 11, 2026

Iran, U.S. trade more strikes as Tehran calls ceasefire ‘meaningless’

Fighting between the U.S. and Iran reignited early Thursday, dealing another blow to peace efforts and the existing ceasefire that Tehran now considers effectively "meaningless."

June 11, 2026