Iran refuses more US talks as Qatar says no high-level meetings are taking place

Oil prices edged higher in early trading Wednesday as investors reacted to Iran's decision not to hold direct talks with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on Tuesday in Qatar.

Brent crude futures rose 50 cents, or 0.69%, to $73.45 a barrel by 12:08 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained 63 cents, or 0.91%, to $70.13 a barrel, Reuters reported.

Iranian officials and Qatari mediators said the U.S. delegation would meet with intermediaries rather than hold direct talks with Iranian officials, the outlet said.

Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner had very positive conversations with regional leaders in Doha on Tuesday, a senior U.S. official told Fox News.

This came after they traveled to meet with Qatari mediators to discuss developments in the ongoing U.S.-Iran talks.

Technical talks continue, and good progress continues to be made, the official said before adding that ships are "continuing to transit the Strait of Hormuz at higher levels, and oil prices are tumbling down."

Witkoff and Kushner were not slated to meet directly with Iranian officials at this stage, Qatar's foreign ministry had said earlier in the day.

Iran's top negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf, also said Tuesday that Tehran will not enter any further negotiations with the U.S. until the terms of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) have been implemented.

Fox News' Nick Rojas contributed to this report.

Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday declared the United States holds "all the cards" in negotiations with Iran, arguing the Trump administration is in a "win-win" position whether diplomacy succeeds or fails.

"The United States is in a great position," Vance said on "The Ingraham Angle."

"However the negotiation ultimately shakes out, if the negotiation is successful, which obviously we want it to be successful, you have an Iran that is permanently transformed, that's not funding regional terrorism and instability, that has permanently given up on any nuclear weapons ambition, and that, as a result, is welcomed back into the world economy.

"That's a great outcome for the American people. It's a great outcome for the whole region," he said.

Vance also said the U.S. has still achieved its primary objective.

"If the Iranians don't behave, if they don't make the concessions in the negotiations that we need to see, their nuclear program is still destroyed, their conventional military is still destroyed, and the United States is still in a much stronger position relative to the Iranians," he said.

"We have all the cards in the negotiation. We obviously want it to be successful, but even if it's not successful, we've accomplished the core mission, which is to ensure that the Iranians never have a nuclear weapon. In other words, it's a win-win outcome for the American people," Vance added.

His remarks came as U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were in Doha meeting with Qatari mediators to discuss developments in the ongoing U.S.-Iran talks.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani reaffirmed Qatar's commitment to mediating U.S.-Iran talks and backing negotiations outlined in a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Washington and Tehran, Qatar's Foreign Ministry said in a statement Tuesday shared on X.

Sheikh Mohammed made the remarks after a meeting with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Doha to discuss developments in the ongoing U.S.-Iran talks.

"For their part, the two U.S. envoys voiced the United States' appreciation for Qatar's role, alongside the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, in facilitating the talks.

They also reaffirmed the United States' commitment to continuing negotiations and supporting diplomatic efforts aimed at reaching a comprehensive agreement," the statement said.

Washington has not released any of the $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds set for humanitarian purchases under the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding (MOU), the New York Post reported Tuesday.

"No frozen funds have been released, and no frozen funds will be released unless Iran meets the requirements outlined in the MOU," a U.S. administration official told the outlet. "Nothing is given for free, and everything is tied to benchmarks," they added.

Officials also rejected Iran's request to receive the funds in a lump sum. Instead, any future disbursements would be made incrementally and paid directly to vendors for humanitarian goods, with each release tied to Iran's progress in implementing the terms of the MOU.

On Tuesday, U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani in Doha as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is facing a new round of violence in the country’s Kurdish-majority west, raising questions about whether a long-simmering Kurdish insurgency is entering a more active phase as fragile talks between Iran and Washington continue, experts say.

The flare-up matters beyond Iran’s borderlands because Kurdish opposition groups were recently viewed as a potential pressure point against Iran during the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran — and now some Kurdish voices fear they could be left exposed as Washington and Tehran return to fragile diplomacy.

In recent days, Iranian security forces have been killed in several reported attacks and clashes across western and northwestern Iran.

Four Iranian security personnel reportedly were killed and several others injured in two separate armed attacks Tuesday, reported The Jerusalem Post, in an analysis by Seth J. Frantzman, citing Iraq’s Shafaq News.

Two Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps members were reportedly killed and two others wounded in what it called an "armed terrorist attack" in Paveh, Iran, a border city in Kermanshah Province, reported Tasnim News, an Iranian outlet close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

In Baneh, Iran, gunmen attacked a police checkpoint, killing two police officers and injuring three other people, including a 3-year-old girl, The Jerusalem Post reported.

This is an excerpt from a report Fox News' Efrat Lachter.

Qatar confirmed Tuesday that no direct or high-level U.S.-Iran meetings had taken place in Doha despite technical delegations remaining.

The adviser to the prime minister and official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari, said in a statement shared on X that U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner's visit to Doha was "part of meetings with mediators in the State of Qatar to discuss various regional issues, including negotiations with Iran, the Lebanese file, and other matters."

Al Ansari also clarified that there were "currently no high-level meetings between the Iranian and American sides under the agreed negotiation mechanism."

He added that the "Iranian and American technical delegations remain in session, noting that these meetings are taking place in different contexts and with the participation of mediators to ensure their continuity, whether in Doha or elsewhere."

The statement also mentioned the issue of frozen Iranian funds.

Dr. Al Ansari also explained that the funds are linked to the 2023 agreement between the United States and Iran to establish a "humanitarian channel in Qatar, through which the funds would be used for humanitarian purchases for Iran under the terms of the agreement." 

The death of a senior Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval official in a car crash has sparked speculation that it was more than an accident, with analysts pointing to possible foreign involvement or an internal regime power struggle.

Mohammad Akbarzadeh, political deputy and spokesperson of the IRGC Navy was killed after his car overturned in Iran's southeastern Kerman province, the IRGC-affiliated Fars News Agency reported.

The agency said police and emergency responders attended the scene and that Akbarzadeh later died from his injuries.

Authorities launched an investigation into the cause and circumstances of the crash.

The incident fueled speculation that it may have been a CIA or Mossad operation or an internally ordered assassination stemming from disagreements within Tehran's leadership, the New York Sun reported.

"I think it's suspicious. It could be any of the above," Jason Brodsky, executive director of United Against Nuclear Iran, told the outlet.

Iran International correspondent Negar Mojtahedi said the case may reflect tensions within Tehran's hardline establishment, describing it as "hardliner versus hardliner," with some officials looking to avoid inflammatory rhetoric that could undermine the current ceasefire.

The Islamic Republic has "full control of the skies, surface, and underwater areas" of the Strait of Hormuz, Akbarzadeh said while vowing action against vessels that failed to coordinate with Iranian forces.

Akbarzadeh was also sanctioned by the European Union for supporting measures that restricted freedom of navigation through the strait.

Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf, said Tuesday that Tehran will not enter into any further negotiations with the United States until the terms of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) are implemented, according to reports.

Citing an interview on Iranian state TV, Reuters reported that Ghalibaf also said sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz rests with Iran and Oman and that traffic through the strategic waterway is governed by arrangements specified by Iran.

The outlet also reported that Ghalibaf warned that if the United States seeks to prevent Iran from selling its oil, "no one will benefit from oil."

He also claimed Iran is selling its oil at prices 20% higher than before.

According to Iran International, Ghalibaf said the MOU's key provisions include clauses related to a ceasefire in Lebanon, a 60-day period of toll-free passage for vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, waivers allowing exports of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products, and the release of frozen Iranian assets.

“We are following up the process of talks to implement Article 13 of the memorandum of understanding,” Ghalibaf said.

“In implementing the end of the war, differences will certainly arise,” he added.

Israel's U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon used a Security Council session Tuesday to stage what he called a "Journalist or Terrorist?" quiz, arguing that the United Nations and the media had accepted Hamas' claims that slain Gazans were journalists before evidence emerged allegedly linking some of them to terror groups.

"Israel is condemned again and again and again," Danon said during the meeting while holding up photos.

"A claim is made against Israel. The U.N. repeats it, and then the world condemns it. Then, when the truth comes out — it takes time, sometimes weeks, months, years — there is no apology, no correction and no retraction. They move on. We will not move on," he added.

As Danon flipped the the photos over they showed what he said was evidence of their membership in Hamas or other terror groups.

He also criticized New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani for condemning Israel over the killing of Al Jazeera contributor Ahmed Wishah, whom Danon described as "a Hamas terrorist."

"This is the machine," Danon said. "Hamas makes a claim. The NGO ecosystem, rapporteurs and briefers all repeat the lies."

"Then a U.N. report rubber-stamps it, the world's media broadcasts it, and Israel is condemned before the facts are even checked," he added.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) raised its maritime security threat level for the Strait of Hormuz to "substantial" on Tuesday, warning of an elevated risk from floating sea mines.

The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) notice said "additional mine risk" persists and that clearance operations remain underway.

It also warned that "navigation interference, IRGC hailing, UAS activity and surveillance continued."

Despite the heightened threat, JMIC said traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained steady, with commercial vessels continuing to transit via both the southern Omani corridor and the northern Iranian-controlled route.

"U.S.-assisted commercial transits continued uninterrupted despite the elevated threat environment," the notice said.

JMIC also said the southern corridor was widened to allow two-way traffic, and vessels have continued to transit safely through the designated route.

The notice said the mine warnings remain in effect, highlighting the ongoing risk from "drifting or uncharted mines."

Iran's foreign minister said the United States’ reputation as a World Cup host was tarnished Tuesday after Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin celebrated Iran's elimination from the tournament.

"'Mission accomplished,' Mr. Mullin," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote in a post on X.

"You also accomplished something else: proving to the world that you have no business hosting an international tournament," he added.

"Your conduct has been a masterclass in how to squander the dignity that comes with being a host."

Iran drew all three of its group-stage matches and came close to advancing to the knockout stage.

However, the team was eliminated after finishing outside the tournament's qualifying positions.

At a World Cup security briefing, Mullin said he was "just glad" Iran had been eliminated, according to reports.

"I'm just glad they're done, and they're not coming back. I was so happy when we were able to pull their visas and said they could leave U.S. soil, and I might've sung a song or two or maybe even danced a happy dance," Mullin said.

Iran Coach Amir Ghalenoei later said his team was the "most oppressed" side at the World Cup, according to ESPN.

On Tuesday, Iran said its treatment during the World Cup "undermined the sense of fairness."

Influential evangelical leaders are divided over the Trump administration's memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran, as conflict continues across the Middle East and debate grows over whether the framework strengthens U.S. leverage or risks harming Israel.

President Donald Trump recently threatened to re-escalate U.S. military strikes against Iran after Tehran continued attacks in the Strait of Hormuz after the regime launched strikes against Kuwait and Bahrain over the weekend, drawing condemnations from both Gulf neighbors.

The split is emerging at a delicate moment for Trump, who is trying to turn military pressure on Iran into a diplomatic framework without alienating supporters who helped power his political coalition.

Supporters of the MOU say Trump has earned trust because he weakened Tehran first, while critics say any deal that gives Iran relief before its threat to Israel is permanently neutralized risks betraying the alliance his base expects him to protect.

Dr. Mike Evans, founder of the Friends of Zion Heritage Center in Jerusalem and a close evangelical ally of Trump, told Fox News Digital that many people are underestimating the American president.

"The facts are that Donald Trump was key to ending the Gaza war, he was key to getting hostages out of there, and he was key in breaking the back of the Iranian regime, including destroying its navy, air force, missile defense and leadership," Evans said.

This is an excerpt from a report by Fox News’ Ashley J. DiMella and Amelie Botbol.

Iran has exported about 50 million barrels of crude oil since the U.S. lifted its blockade on June 17 under an interim deal to end hostilities, according to maritime intelligence firm TankerTrackers.

The figures underscore Tehran's rapid return to global oil markets.

"Iran has exported 50 million barrels of crude oil since the U.S.-imposed blockade was lifted two weeks ago," the firm said in a post on X.

"That equates to 1.66 million barrels per day for June 2026," TankerTrackers added.

"Most other countries in the region are still nowhere near prewar levels," it said.

Iran's return to global oil supply lines follows a sharp decline in exports during the blockade. In May, Iranian crude exports fell to between 209,000 and 260,000 barrels per day.

Detailing the Central Intelligence Agency's “flawless intelligence picture” delivered for Operation Midnight Hammer last June, CIA Director John Ratcliffe said modern warfare is won in technological power and innovation.

"The nation that best harnesses the power of technology will determine the global future," Ratcliffe said Tuesday at the AWS tech summit, offering a rare window into the intelligence backbone behind recent U.S. operations in Iran and Venezuela.

"CIA first provided flawless intelligence picture that was necessary last June in Operation Midnight Hammer to get more than 120 U.S. aircraft in and out of Iran, and precisely deliver payloads against Iranian nuclear facilities before the enemy even knew we were there and was able to respond.

"And then again, just two months ago, CIA played another pivotal role during Operation Epic Fury in rescuing the crewmen of that F-15 strike vehicle that was shot down on Good Friday.

"We launched a search that was, as President Trump said, the equivalent of trying to find a needle in a haystack.

"It was a search that confounded the Iranians, and despite their efforts to stop us, and despite their home field advantage, it was a search that rested on our innovation, creativity, and our technological know-how, and ultimately it was a technology-enabled search that only the CIA could successfully and did successfully pull off."

Reports that Iran and Oman are exploring a plan to turn the Strait of Hormuz into a toll booth is a clear violation of red lines laid out by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

“No country is allowed to charge tolls or fees on an international waterway,” Rubio said on his Middle East trip last week.

"That’s existing international law. That’s the way it is in international waterways all over the world, and that’s the way we expect it’ll be here.”

The Strait is one of the world’s most important international waterways, and the principle at stake is straightforward: no country gets to charge passage fees through it, Rubio has already made clear as a red line for the administration.

Attempt to impose tolls in Hormuz would not merely be a regional provocation: It would be a challenge to the rules governing global commerce and freedom of navigation.

President Donald Trump should have continued the military operation against Iran to “finish it,” according to retired four-star Gen. Jack Keane, arguing that Tehran must be pushed toward military, economic, and political collapse.

"He knows where I am, and others like me, that we would have preferred to continue the military operation and finish it, and put Iran on a pathway to military, economic, and political collapse," Keane told Tuesday's "Varney & Co" on FOX Business. "Well, we're trying to achieve that, and using diplomacy: It remains to be seen whether that's achievable.

"And I think a healthy dose of skepticism has to be here as a result of what we've seen."

Iran’s actions around the Strait of Hormuz since the June 14 memorandum of understanding (MOU) are empirical evidence that Tehran cannot be trusted.

"Within a couple of days, what is Iran doing? Taking control of the Straits of the Hormuz, directing ships when to leave, where to go, and pay in insurance – and then attacking ships that don't abide by them.

"That is not exactly the faithful member. Memorandum of understanding, the principle deal was, the Strait of Hormuz gets open, we shut down our naval blockade. Everything else was future negotiations, and they violated out immediately.

"But the president didn't stand for it. That's the important thing."