Last UpdateApril 28, 2026, 2:33 AM EDT
Iran has offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the U.S. ending its blockade on Iranian ports Monday. It is the latest offer since President Donald Trump cancelled in-person talks in Pakistan.
Covered by: Anders Hagstrom, Emma Bussey and Landon Mion
WHAT TO KNOW
- Iran has offered a fresh deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for an end to the U.S blockade on Iranian ports.
- Tehran’s deal makes no concessions on the nation’s nuclear program, a key point for President Donald Trump.
- Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem also officially condemned negotiations between Israel and Lebanon on Monday.
- Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a 50-minute phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warning him about Tehran’s violations of the ceasefire with the U.S.
- President Vladimir Putin said Moscow would do everything it can to support Tehran, as diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran are ongoing.
- French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Tehran must consent to major concessions and commit to radical change.
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9 hours ago
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Trump ‘doesn’t love’ new Iran proposal, official says offer falls short: report
Trump / Alex Wong / Getty Images
President Donald Trump is not keen on the second proposal sent by Tehran through Pakistani mediators on Monday, according to reports.
An official told Reuters that Trump is unhappy with an Iranian proposal because it did not address Iran’s nuclear program.
“He doesn’t love the proposal,” the U.S. official said, referring to Trump, Reuters reported.
Trump held a Situation Room meeting with key members of his administration regarding the war with Iran on Monday, according to ABC News.
According to Reuters, work to bridge the gaps between the two parties has not stopped, sources said.
Posted by Emma Bussey
3 hours ago
German chancellor says US ‘being humiliated’ by Iranian leadership
Odd ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that Iranian leaders are humiliating U.S. officials by having U.S. envoys travel to Pakistan for negotiations only to leave without results.
“The Iranians are obviously very skilled at negotiating, or rather, very skilful at not negotiating, letting the Americans travel to Islamabad and then leave again without any result,” Merz said during a talk to students in the town of Marsberg.
“An entire nation is being humiliated by the Iranian leadership, especially by these so-called Revolutionary Guards. And so I hope that this ends as quickly as possible,” he added.
Merz said during his remarks that it was clear the Strait of Hormuz had been at least partially mined.
“We have offered, also as Europeans, to send German minesweepers to clear the strait, which has obviously been mined in part,” he said.
The chancellor also said the war on Iran was costing Germany “a lot of money, a lot of taxpayers’ money and a lot of economic strength.”
Reuters contributed to this report.
Posted by Landon Mion
4 hours ago
Russia’s UN ambassador likens Western countries to pirates as he rises to Iran’s defense
Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, defended Iran and accused Western countries of hypocrisy on Monday, arguing that the Islamic Republic has a right to restrict movement in the Strait of Hormuz.
“There was an attempt to pin full responsibility on Iran as if it was Iran which attacked its neighbors and Iran is deliberately obstructing the navigation through the Strait of Hormuz,” Nebenzia said at a UN Security Council meeting. “In times of war, a coastal state that is under attack may limit navigation in its territorial waters for the purpose of security.”
Nebenzia also compared Western nations to pirates.
“Unlike pirates who raise their black flags with a skull and crossbones in their vessels, Western countries are attempting to conceal their lawless actions with references to unilateral coercive measures,” Nebenzia said.
“This is merely a fig leaf, the purpose of which is to conceal the fact that the [European Union] is engaged in blatant robbery at sea,” he added.
This comes after Russia and China earlier this month vetoed a Security Council draft resolution that sought to secure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Posted by Landon Mion
5 hours ago
Iran welcomes Russia’s ‘support for diplomacy,’ foreign minister says
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Monday that the Islamic Republic is “pleased to engage with Russia at the highest level” and that it is “grateful for solidarity” from Moscow.
“Pleased to engage with Russia at the highest level as the region is in major flux,” Araghchi wrote on X after meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Recent events have evidenced the depth and strength of our strategic partnership. As our relationship continues to grow, we are grateful for solidarity and welcome Russia’s support for diplomacy,” the foreign minister continued.
Posted by Landon Mion
8 hours ago
Rubio: Iran’s nuclear ambitions central to any US negotiations
Rubio / Alex Brandon / POOL / AFP via Getty Images
Iran’s nuclear ambitions are the central issue in any negotiations with the U.S., Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday.
Rubio was responding to Tehran’s latest reported proposal to postpone nuclear talks in exchange for ending the blockade and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that at some point in the future, if this radical clerical regime remains in charge in Iran, they will decide they want a nuclear weapon,” Rubio said.
“I think they are serious about getting themselves out of the mess that they’re in,” he told Chief Foreign Correspondent, Trey Yingst, pointing to Iran’s worsening economic conditions.
He also said Iranian negotiators were likely trying to buy time and warned that Washington must ensure “any agreement that is made, is one that definitively prevents them from sprinting toward a nuclear weapon at any point.”
Posted by Emma Bussey
8 hours ago
Democrats to force sixth Iran war powers vote: Schumer
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Monday that Democrats will force a sixth vote on a War Powers Resolution to end President Donald Trump’s “war of choice” in Iran as the conflict reaches its 60-day mark.
“THIS WEEK: Senate Democrats will force a SIXTH vote on our War Powers Resolution ending Trump’s war of choice in Iran,” Schumer said in a post shared on X.
“As we reach 60 days of a reckless and unpopular war, will Republicans continue to back Trump and dig themselves deeper into this hole?” he said.
Posted by Emma Bussey
8 hours ago
US Navy destroyer intercepts tanker bound for Iran, CENTCOM says
A U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer intercepted a commercial tanker bound for Iran on Monday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said.
This is the latest enforcement action in the U.S. naval blockade to cut off maritime access to Iranianports.
“Guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) enforces the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports against M/T Stream after it attempted to sail to an Iranian port, April 26,” the command said in a post shared on X.
Posted by Emma Bussey
9 hours ago
French foreign minister urges Iran to make ‘major concessions’ as ceasefire talks stall
Thierry Monasse / Getty
Tehran must consent to major concessions and commit to radical change, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Monday.
Speaking to Fox News’ Bret Baier, Barrot also said France would “overcome” any tension with the U.S.
Addressing the war with Iran, Barrot pointed to rising concerns beyond Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
“The only way out of this crisis, it seems to me, is for the Iranian regime to consent to major concessions and to radical change, to give up its nuclear program,” Barrot said.
“But we cannot only focus on the nuclear program because, as I was saying, the ballistic capacity, the support to terrorist groups and proxies in the region constitute threats that we cannot accept,” he added.
His remarks came as the United Nations on Monday opened a monthlong conference to review the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
The 11th Review Conference of the NPT, which came into force in 1970, is being held in New York.
“We need this treaty to be upheld, and that’s the reason for my presence today. In particular, we need Iran and North Korea to refrain from developing their nuclear programs, which are causing threats to international security and global peace,” Barrot said.
On French-U.S. relations, Barrot emphasized continued cooperation despite periodic disagreements.
Macron, for example, said April 24 that Trump, along with Russia’s Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping, are “dead against” Europe amid rising tensions over Europe’s stance on the Iran war.
“We sometimes do have disagreements, even sometimes strong disagreements. We’ve had some of them, but fortunately we’ve always been able to overcome them,” Barrot said.
Posted by Emma Bussey
9 hours ago
US defense leaders brief Congress on Pentagon budget amid Iran war
Pete Hesgeth / Oliver Contreras / AFP via Getty Images
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, met with congressional leaders on Capitol Hill on Monday to discuss the Pentagon’s budget and defense priorities.
The meetings included lawmakers from the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, as well as defense appropriations panels.
According to reports, discussions focused on defense spending levels and how resources should be allocated across the armed forces.
The briefings come at a time of U.S. military operations and tensions in the Middle East.
Posted by Emma Bussey
10 hours ago
Iran defense deputy meets Russian, Belarusian officials, reaffirming support: report
Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov met with Iran’s Deputy Defense Minister Reza Talaei-Nik on Monday, according to Russia’s state-run TASS news agency.
Iran International reported that Belousov reaffirmed Moscow’s position that the war in Iran should be resolved exclusively through diplomatic means.
Belousov said he was confident Russia and Iranwould continue to support one another, the outlet said.
Talaei-Nik also traveled to Belarus, where he discussed the war with Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin, Belarus’ Defense Ministry said.
The ministry, quoted by state news agency BelTA, said both sides agreed the only way to resolve the conflict was through “a political-diplomatic settlement” and negotiations.
Posted by Emma Bussey
10 hours ago
Iran’s ‘creaking oil industry’ on brink of collapse, gasoline shortages next, warns Bessent
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Monday that the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports is beginning to cripple the country’s oil sector, warning production could soon “collapse” and trigger gasoline shortages.
“While the surviving IRGC Leaders are trapped like drowning rats in a sewage pipe, Iran’s creaking oil industry is starting to shut in production thanks to the U.S. BLOCKADE,” Bessent said in a post on X.
“Pumping will soon collapse. GASOLINE SHORTAGES IN IRAN NEXT!” Bessent added
Posted by Emma Bussey
11 hours ago
Macron to press Iran on Hormuz reopening, France urges ‘major concessions’
Macron / ANGELA WEISS / AFP via Getty Images
French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday he will speak with Iran in the coming days and press for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
“We have established a coalition whose purpose is precisely to ensure security — to secure and stabilize, and to demonstrate that the international community supports reopening the Strait of Hormuz. I hope we will be able to convince the stakeholders in the coming days,” he told reporters, according to the Times of Israel.
France’s Foreign Minister also said Iran must be prepared to make “major concessions” in talks to end the ongoing crisis.
“There can be no lasting solution to this crisis unless the Iranian regime agrees to major concessions and a radical shift in its stance,” Jean-Noël Barrot told a UN Security Council session.
Posted by Emma Bussey
11 hours ago
Iran accused of holding global economy ‘hostage’ over Strait of Hormuz
Hormuz / Shady Alassar / Anadolu / Getty Images
Iran is holding the global economy “hostage” by blocking the Strait of Hormuz and using the waterway as leverage over its nuclear program, U.S.envoy Dorothy Shea said Monday.
At a U.N. Security Council debate on maritime security, Shea also warned the strait was “not Iran’s hostage, not Iran’s bargaining chip, not Iran’s toll road.”
She also accused Tehran of laying sea mines, firing on civilian ships, threatening to charge tolls and launching missiles at Gulf capitals.
Shea criticized China and Russia for vetoing a Bahrain-backed Security Council resolution aimed at protecting freedom of navigation in the strait.
Posted by Emma Bussey
11 hours ago
Iran slams Europe’s ’embarrassing descent into irrelevance,’ rebukes sanctions stance
Iran and the European Union traded sharp rhetoric Monday, as Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, criticized European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen over her remarks on sanctions on Tehran.
Speaking at a press conference in Berlin, von der Leyen had said it “would be too early” to lift sanctions on Iran, citing ongoing human rights concerns.
She added that a “fundamental change” would be needed before any easing them.
The Council of the European Union had imposed additional sanctions given human rights violations in Iran and following internal protests in January.
Baqaei accused the EU of acting in bad faith in a post shared on X.
“The EU’s inhuman sanctions on Iran were never about ‘human rights’ — they were designed to trample the basic rights of ordinary Iranians,” he said.
“No one is buying this tired moral theater.”
“Such posturing won’t earn you—or your constituency—an ounce of credibility on the world stage.”
“If anything, it only further demonstrates Europe’s ruling class’s double standard and hypocrisy, and hastens Europe’s embarrassing descent into irrelevance,” he said.
Posted by Emma Bussey
11 hours ago
IDF says weapons cache found in children’s room in southern Lebanon
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said they uncovered a cache of weapons inside a children’s room in the southern Lebanese village of Aadshit al-Qusayr on Monday.
The discovery was part of ongoing operations in the area against Hezbollah.
“Weapons storage facility with numerous weapons was located inside a children’s room in the area of Aadshit al-Qusayr,” the IDF said in a post shared on X.
“Among the weapons located: explosives, Kalashnikov rifles, grenades, RPGs, machine guns, munitions and combat equipment,” it said.
Posted by Emma Bussey
12 hours ago
Iran is ‘playing games,’ regime’s behavior the real problem, warns Graham
Sen. Lindsey Graham said Monday that Iran’s “game playing” and ongoing problematic behavior are at the core of the negociation stalemate between Washington and Tehran.
His comments come after diplomatic efforts to end the Iran war stalled again. Iran reportedly said it would reopen the Strait of Hormuz only if the United States lifts its blockade and agrees to end the conflict.
President Donald Trump is pursuing a broader agreement to address Iran’s nuclear program, missile capabilities and regional proxy activities.
“I don’t know how accurate the reporting is regarding Iran’s supposed new offer to end the war by lifting the blockade, opening the strait, and dealing with the other issues later,” Graham said in a post on X.
“But all I can say is I understand why Iran would make that offer,” he added, noting he believes such a proposal would be unacceptable and reflects the true state of negotiations.
“This is an offer that ignores the strong positions President Trump has rightfully taken regarding Iran’s nuclear operations and its desire to be the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism,” Graham said.
Graham emphasized that successful negotiations require “two willing partners,” suggesting Iran is not acting in good faith.
“Clearly, if this offer is accurate, Iran is playing games,” he said. “Mr. President, stick to your guns for the good of the nation and the world. The Iranian regime and their behavior are the problem, not you,” he said.
Posted by Emma Bussey
12 hours ago
Bessent warns foreign firms against working with sanctioned Iranian airlines
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned Monday that businesses and governments risk sanctions if they work with Iranian airlines designated by Washington, as commercial flights resume from Tehran.
“Doing business with sanctioned Iranian airlines risks exposure to U.S. sanctions,” Bessent said Monday in a post on X.
“Foreign governments should take all actions necessary to ensure that companies in their jurisdictions do not provide services to those aircraft, including the provision of jet fuel, catering, landing fees or maintenance,” he added.
“Under Economic Fury, the @USTreasury will impose maximum pressure on Iran and will not hesitate to act against any third parties that facilitate or conduct business with Iranian entities,” Bessent said.
Posted by Emma Bussey
12 hours ago
Waltz: Iran has still tried to kill ‘even more Americans than they have in the last 47 years’
Hormuz / Getty Images / Getty Images
Ambassador Mike Waltz, U.S. representative to the United Nations, spoke at a U.N. Security Council open debate on maritime security Monday and warned of Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Focusing on Tehran’s control of the critical waterway, he claimed it was using it as a “bargaining chip because of its illegal nuclear aspirations.”
“This Strait is not—despite Iran’s foreign minister’s claims—this Strait is not Iran’s to wield like its own moat and drawbridge,” Waltz said.
“It is not Iran’s hostage, it is not Iran’s bargaining chip, it is not Iran’s toll road.
“And that’s what over 100 countries right outside these doors just testified in one of the most supported press conferences in recent years—100 countries just said what I said.
“This is not for Iran to play with like some type of bargaining chip because of its illegal nuclear aspirations,” he added.
He also demanded Iran cease its attacks against neighboring states.
“Regardless of what you feel about the ongoing conflict, it has chosen to shoot in all directions against its neighbors’ civilian infrastructure.
“And the entire world condemned the obstruction of freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, citing sea mines and fire on civilian ships.
“And, in true form, they have still tried to kill even more Americans than they have in the last 47 years,” he added.
Waltz urged the Council to hold the regime accountable for its “blatant and recurring violations of international law,” calling it “an international criminal” and “pirates of the straits.”
Posted by Emma Bussey
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