Vaughn Cockayne

Iran-backed Houthis grab more territory on Yemen’s western coast

Houthi rebel forces in Yemen completed a rapid sweep of Yemen's western coastline on Friday, capping off a week of fighting for the Iran-backed group as it grapples with Saudi coalition forces for control of the country.

September 11, 2026

India’s 30% oil lifeline through Strait of Hormuz hangs over BRICS summit as Iran war continues

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived at the annual BRICS summit in the Indian capital of New Delhi on Friday in a tense atmosphere as his country's war with the U.S. shifts into a new phase and Tehran's allies in Yemen threaten to expand their attacks on Saudi Arabia, another summit attendee.

September 11, 2026

Oil prices rise as Iran targets vessels in Strait of Hormuz; Houthis seize critical Yemeni port

Oil prices climbed Thursday after Iranian forces said they targeted two U.S. vessels near the Strait of Hormuz and Iran-backed Houthi rebels seized a key port city on Yemen's western coast.

September 10, 2026

After earthquakes and Maduro’s exit, USDA looks to rebuild Venezuela farm trade

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will expand a package of credit, trade, export-promotion and capacity-building tools to deepen farm sales to Venezuela as the Trump administration moves to expand ties with the Caracas government and access to food following June's devastating earthquakes.

September 10, 2026

Trump says Iran war will end after midterm elections, as fighting continues in in Strait of Hormuz

President Trump said Wednesday he believes the Iran war will end shortly after the midterm elections in November.

September 9, 2026

Brent crude hits $100 a barrel as Iran war escalates

Brent crude, the major trading classification and global price benchmark for light, sweet crude oil, reached more than $100 a barrel Wednesday.

September 9, 2026

Kushner, Witkoff meet with Zelenskyy amid Ukraine peace push

U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine and a slew of officials in Kyiv on Sunday as the diplomats worked to restart stalled peace talks with Russia.

September 6, 2026

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent: Iran has just 30 million barrels of oil left to sell

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent estimated Sunday that Iran has only a smattering of crude oil left to sell to China.

September 6, 2026

Treasury targets Turkey-based bank with new sanctions over its ties to Iran

The U.S. Treasury Department targeted several Turkish financial institutions over their ties to Iran as Washington expands its efforts to isolate Tehran economically.

September 4, 2026

Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi lashes out at Jordan over retaliation comments

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday gave one of the clearest outlines of his country's regional war strategy in a response to his Jordanian counterpart, insisting that Arab countries that host U.S. assets are fair game.

September 4, 2026

Vance pours cold water on diplomacy with Iran as battle over Hormuz continues

Vice President J.D. Vance on Thursday said the U.S. is not in diplomatic talks with Iran and that the silent treatment would continue as long as control of the Strait of Hormuz is contested.

September 3, 2026

Vance, Rubio tie American manufacturing to national security at launch of Foundry School

Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday tied the Trump administration's aim to revitalize U.S. manufacturing to national security at the launch of Foundry School, a State Department partnership with American universities.

September 3, 2026

Trump touts weakness of Iranian regime, hints at more pressure as war escalates

President Trump on Wednesday said the Iranian regime is getting weaker by the day as the U.S. economic pressure campaign and military strikes continue.

September 2, 2026

Iran retaliates for U.S. strikes, claims American service members killed

Iran launched retaliatory strikes overnight on U.S. assets in the Middle East in the most expansive round of attacks since fighting resumed this week.

September 2, 2026

U.S. officials say Venezuela oil deal step toward progress despite lingering concerns

The deal to give the U.S. majority control over 65 billion barrels of Venezuela's proven oil reserves is a step toward stability and economic growth in the South American country, according to U.S. officials, even as major questions linger about the agreement's implications for citizens of the recovering nation.

September 2, 2026

U.S. strikes IRGC targets in Iran after attempted attacks on vessels in Strait of Hormuz

U.S. forces struck Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps sites in Iran on Tuesday after attempted attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz earlier in the day, according to U.S. Central Command.

September 1, 2026

Iranian President Pezeshkian says Tehran would adhere to ceasefire agreement if U.S. does so

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tuesday that Tehran would "immediately reciprocate" if the U.S. adheres to its commitments under the defunct Islamabad memorandum of understanding to end the war.

September 1, 2026

Trump warns of retaliation against Iran after overnight strikes

President Trump on Monday railed against the Iranian leadership and promised to hit back at Iran this week after Tehran launched attacks on U.S. military bases in the Middle East overnight, signaling that the regional conflict could start again after a month-long lull in fighting.

August 31, 2026

Pentagon war effort faces backlash after news of disagreement among top officials

Recent reports that key Pentagon officials have voiced strong disagreement with how Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is conducting the war with Iran have sparked intense reaction from members of Congress and former military personnel.

August 31, 2026

Russia, China, India meet at consequential summit in Kyrgyzstan

Leaders of Russia, China, India and Iran will meet this week in Kyrgyzstan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, as the non-Western partners look to strengthen ties amid growing world tension.

August 31, 2026