Tom Howell Jr.

U.S. optimistic the blockade will force Iran to reopen Hormuz

U.S. officials insisted Thursday the economic pressure from the Navy blockade of Iranian ports will force Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, relieving global economic pressure that has driven up energy prices over the past two months.

April 30, 2026

Hassett says Iran’s economy ‘on the ropes,’ hopes Strait of Hormuz will reopen soon

Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, said he's hopeful the Strait of Hormuz will reopen soon, pointing to the economic stress that Tehran leaders face because of President Trump's blockade.

April 30, 2026

Trump, Iran trade insults over the Strait of Hormuz as peace talks stumble along

President Trump nettled Iran on Thursday by posting an illustration that relabeled the Strait of Hormuz as the "Strait of Trump."

April 30, 2026

Fed holds rates steady in Jerome Powell’s last meeting as chairman

The Federal Reserve decided to hold interest rates steady on Wednesday in what was likely Jerome Powell's last session as chair.

April 29, 2026

Trump warns Iran: ‘No More Mr. Nice Guy’

President Trump on Wednesday drafted a stark social media post warning Iran to "get smart soon" or else face renewed military attacks.

April 29, 2026

Trump slams Germany’s Merz over his Iran comments

President Trump swiped back at German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday after the European leader said Iranian negotiators were humiliating the U.S.

April 28, 2026

Gas prices rise to highest point since war’s start; Trump insists Iran in ‘state of collapse’

Gas prices in the U.S. have reached their highest levels since the start of the Iran war, putting intense pressure on President Trump even as he insists that the Islamic republic is on the verge of collapse.

April 28, 2026

Trump says Iran is heading toward ‘collapse,’ hopes Tehran sorts out leadership

President Trump on Tuesday said Iran is in a "state of collapse" as he squeezes the Islamic republic by blockading its ports.

April 28, 2026

Oil prices jump again as U.S. and Iran struggle to reach peace deal

Oil prices rose again Tuesday as the Trump administration seemed cool to Iran's latest proposal for ending the war.

April 28, 2026

Iran promises to reopen strait if U.S. agrees to postpone talks on nuclear program

The White House said Monday it received an offer from Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if talks around its nuclear program are postponed to another time, prompting a debate among President Trump and his security team.

April 27, 2026

Iran offers deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, punt nuclear talks to a later date

Iran has reportedly offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if talks around its nuclear program are postponed to another time.

April 27, 2026

Kushner, Witkoff to travel to Pakistan for renewed talks with Iran

President Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and special envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Pakistan on Saturday to resume peace talks with Iran, according to the White House.

April 24, 2026

Trump issues 90-day extension of Jones Act waiver to move goods during Iran war

President Trump is authorizing a 90-day extension of his waiver to the Jones Act -- a longstanding shipping law -- to ease economic concerns around the war with Iran.

April 24, 2026

Iranian foreign minister heads to Pakistan, signaling a possible revival of peace talks

A top Iranian official is heading to Pakistan, raising the prospect of a new round of peace talks with the U.S.

April 24, 2026

Trump rules out using nuclear weapons against Iran

President Trump on Thursday emphatically insisted that he will not use a nuclear weapon against Iran as the conflict nears its third month.

April 23, 2026

U.S. intercepts another Iranian oil tanker as Trump threatens to sink ships laying mines

The U.S. Navy interdicted another Iranian-linked oil tanker on Thursday, as the U.S. and Iran continued to trade ship seizures, both near the Strait of Hormuz and in the Indo-Pacific region.

April 23, 2026

Trump defends length of military operation in Iran: ‘Don’t rush me’

President Trump on Thursday defended the duration of his military operation in Iran, saying there is no need to put a timetable on reaching a deal.

April 23, 2026

Trump opts to host an ambassador-level meeting between Israel and Lebanon

President Trump is putting a personal touch on Israel-Lebanon peace talks, opting to host officials from both countries at the White House on Thursday.

April 23, 2026

Iranian official claims ‘iron unity’ within country, pushing back on White House talk of factions

A prominent Iranian official said Thursday there are no major divisions within the country's leadership, a swipe at President Trump's claim that twin camps in Tehran cannot agree on how to end their war with the U.S.

April 23, 2026

Ceasefire-linked drop in gas prices idles, AAA figures show

The decline in gas prices during the Iran war's ceasefire seemed to stall out Thursday as the national cost at the pump ticked up.

April 23, 2026