Last UpdateJune 30, 2026, 7:58 AM EDT
The U.S. and Iran send delegations to Qatar as peace talks are set to resume Tuesday, but Tehran says it has not agreed to meet directly, leaving the region and Strait of Hormuz on the edge of war and peace.
Covered by: Eric Mack
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2 hours ago
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‘DROP YOUR PRICE’: Trump warns gas stations to stop ‘gouging’ at the pump before July 4j
President Donald Trump is trying to achieve peace in the Middle East and “affordability” at the gas pump heading into the busy July 4 holiday travel weekend.
“Gasoline Retailers must get their Prices down, IMMEDIATELY!” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post Monday night, hailing the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz amid the memorandum of understanding (MOU).
“They’re too high considering that Oil is now at $68 a Barrel, and heading south.
“The Retailers must quickly react to this statement, and do what they know is right — DROP YOUR PRICE FOR OUR GREAT AMERICAN PEOPLE!
“There will be no gauging, which is totally illegal.
“If Retailers don’t do this, big problems lie ahead!”
Trump directly called out high-gas tax states like California for “gouging” the American travel consumer.
“Start targeting around the $2.50 a Gallon number, and California should stop charging such heavy Taxes on their Gasoline,” Trump’s post continued.
“Soon the Tax will be higher than the Product itself, and the United States will not stand for it, nor will the People of California, who are being abused by these ridiculous Taxes, and by their own Government.”
Posted by Eric Mack
2 hours ago
Iran tells UN nuclear watchdog chief to stop issuing political statements
Iran, rejecting direct talks in lieu of release of $6 billion, is getting bolder as the U.S. peace delegation descends Tuesday on Doha, Qatar, and the U.S. is not the only object of its ire.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei warned the International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi, telling him to stop issuing political statements and focus on his duties as head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog.
Baghaei’s news briefing remarks come amid continued tension over Iran’s nuclear program and the role of international monitors in tracking Tehran’s compliance with nuclear commitments.
The comments mark the latest friction between Iran and the IAEA as diplomatic efforts continue around an interim deal involving Tehran’s enriched uranium stockpile.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Posted by Eric Mack
2 hours ago
Iran: Talks with Qatar on US interim deal, release of $6 billion likely Wednesday in Doha
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Tuesday morning that dialogue with mediator Qatar on implementing Tehran’s interim deal with the U.S. and the release of $6 billon in frozen funds is likely to take place Wednesday in Doha.
Baghaei said the discussions are expected to include the release of frozen Iranian assets, a key piece of the interim arrangement.
Iran has said its delegation is traveling to Qatar to discuss terms of the deal through mediators, while denying that direct talks with U.S. officials are scheduled.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Posted by Eric Mack
2 hours ago
Iran FM warns against outside interference in Strait of Hormuz: Would complicate issues
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said there is no need for outside interference in the Strait of Hormuz, warning that foreign involvement would only complicate the situation.
The comment comes Tuesday morning during a Doha, Qatar, briefing as Iran war tensions remain high around the key waterway, where recent attacks and threats have raised concerns over global shipping and energy supplies.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes, making any disruption there a major concern for international markets and regional security.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Posted by Eric Mack
BREAKING NEWS2 hours ago
Qatar says no direct high-level talks between US-Iran on schedule
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner will be in Doha to meet Qatari mediators to discuss U.S.-Iran negotiations, but direct talks with Iran are not yet planned Tuesday.
There will not be a high-level meeting between Washington and Tehran, Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari told a media briefing Tuesday.
Qatar remains in possession of the $6 billion of Iranian frozen funds to Tehran, he added.
Also, Doha has been coordinating with Oman, which sits on the western coast of the Strait of Hormuz, on the safe passage for vessels.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Posted by Eric Mack
3 hours ago
Trump: Talks in Doha ‘perhaps important, perhaps not; we’re going to find out’
Peace talks in Switzerland did not go well, and the resumption of talks in Doha, Qatar are off to a shaky start Tuesday. (Nathan Howard / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
President Donald Trump expressed skepticism U.S.-Iran peace talks in Doha, Qatar were going to be fruitful, but peace envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to listen if Iran was ready to talk peace and advance the memorandum of understanding.
“We’ll see how that goes, but we’re doing very well on that front,” Trump said Monday from the Oval Office.
“The meeting in Doha is going to be, perhaps important, perhaps not. We’re going to find out.”
Trump is keeping the stick behind the carrot in his peace through strength position, regardless.
“We’re winning militarily,” he continued. “It’s almost won militarily, I would say. And it’s really very simple: It’s the denuclearization of Iran. We don’t want them to have a nuclear weapon, and they’re not going to have a nuclear weapon. They’ve agreed to that.”
Posted by Eric Mack
