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Massive 11,000-carat ruby believed to be second-largest ever found in conflict-ridden country

Sun, 10 May 2026 22:10:58 -0400

A massive ruby unearthed in Burma is being hailed as the second-largest ever discovered in the conflict-ridden country.

The ruby weighs about 11,000 carats — about 4.8 pounds — and was unearthed near Mogok in the Mandalay region, the center of Burma’s gem industry and an area affected by ongoing conflict, according to The Associated Press, citing state media.

The stone was found in mid-April, shortly after the country’s traditional New Year celebrations.

MAN STUMBLES ONTO RARE DIAMOND TREASURE DURING ARKANSAS PARK TRIP WITH FAMILY: 'KNEW IT WAS DIFFERENT'

Although it is roughly half the size of a 21,450-carat ruby discovered in 1996, experts say the new find could be more valuable because of its higher quality, the outlet reported.

It has a purplish-red color with slight yellow tones, moderate transparency and a highly reflective surface.

Burmese President Min Aung Hlaing and his cabinet have already inspected the stone in the country's capital of Naypyidaw.

ONCE-IN-A-CENTURY TREASURES DATING BACK 4,500 YEARS UNEARTHED IN LEGENDARY CITY

Burma produces up to 90% of the world’s rubies, mostly from Mogok and nearby Mong Hsu.

The gem trade — both legal and illegal — is a major source of income in the country.

However, rights groups, including Global Witness, have long urged jewelers to avoid buying Burmese gemstones, saying the trade helps fund the country's military governments, according to The Associated Press.

RARE 10-CARAT BLUE DIAMOND AMONG $100M WORTH OF GEMS GOING UP FOR AUCTION

Gem mining also finances ethnic armed groups fighting for autonomy, contributing to Burma’s long-running conflicts.

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The mining regions remain unstable.

Mogok was seized in July 2024 by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), an ethnic armed group. Control later returned to the military under a ceasefire deal brokered by China late last year.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Experts warn Trump administration any Iran deal must close plutonium pathway to nuclear bombs

Sat, 09 May 2026 16:00:21 -0400

Nuclear weapons experts are raising the alarm bells over the pressing need for the Trump administration to codify in any new deal a ban on Iran’s attempts to use plutonium from its facilities to build an atomic bomb.

The administration and non-proliferation experts have largely focused on the Islamic Republic’s atomic weapons facilities that use uranium as the material for building nuclear bombs. Tehran could take advantage of this blind spot and covertly build a plutonium-based nuclear weapon.

Jason Brodsky, policy director at United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), told Fox News Digital: "I do believe any proposed deal with Iran needs to address the plutonium pathway to nuclear weapons. Israel struck the Arak heavy water reactor twice over the last year — in June 2025 and in March 2026. Intelligence suggested Iran had repeatedly attempted to reconstruct the facility even after the bombing, so any deal with Iran should cover the plutonium pathway."

TRUMP BLOCKADE SQUEEZING IRAN SO HARD REGIME MAY BE DUMPING OIL INTO GULF, EXPERTS SAY

Iran’s regime could use plutonium from spent fuel at its nuclear reactor at Bushehr to build an atomic weapons device, according to Henry Sokolski, the executive director of the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center and former deputy for nonproliferation policy in the Department of Defense (1989–1993).

Writing last month on the website of Real Clear Defense, he noted "Washington should make sure that Iran doesn’t remove Bushehr’s spent fuel and strip out the plutonium. This can and should be done without bombing the plant."

Sokolski wrote the "Pentagon should watch to make sure Iran does not remove any of the spent fuel at Bushehr. It could do this with space surveillance assets or, as it did in 2012, with drones. Second, any ‘peace’ deal President Trump cuts with Tehran should include a requirement that there be near-real-time monitoring of the Bushehr reactor and spent fuel pond, much as the IAEA had in place with Iran’s fuel enrichment activities."

In another article in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists in April, Sokolski argued that Iran has enough plutonium for more than 200 nuclear bombs. He said, "The last time IAEA inspectors visited Bushehr was August 27, 2025. Even when agency inspectors had routine access to the plant, they only visited every 90 days — more than enough time to divert the spent fuel and possibly fashion it into nuclear weapons."

He added that "President Obama did not insist on such surveillance even though the IAEA asked Iran to permit it. Tehran said no."

Recent IAEA reports have not addressed the plutonium path to a bomb with any specificity.

TRUMP CLAIMS IRAN 'STARVING FOR CASH,' 'COLLAPSING FINANCIALLY' AFTER EXTENDING CEASEFIRE

A State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital that, "Iran’s nuclear program poses a threat to the United States and the entire world."

The spokesperson continued, "Iran today stands in breach of its Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty obligations by failing to provide full cooperation with the IAEA. Iran’s leadership must engage in serious diplomatic negotiations with the United States to resolve the nuclear issue once and for all."

David Albright, a physicist and president of the Institute for Science and International Security, told Fox News Digital that he is "Highly skeptical that Iran would use plutonium from Bushehr’s spent fuel to make nuclear weapons."

The former weapons inspector, Albright, argued that, "One, Iran would need a design it has not developed. There is nothing in the Nuclear Archive on a plutonium-based nuclear weapon. Two, a diversion from Bushehr would be detected and undoubtedly lead Russia to suspend enriched uranium supplies, leading to a shutdown of a multibillion-dollar investment that supplies the area with electricity. Third, almost all the plutonium in the spent fuel is reactor-grade, and it is feasible that none is weapon-grade."

Albright added that "Reactor-grade plutonium can be used to make a nuclear weapon, but it is tricky to do so if a significant explosive yield is wanted." He added that Trump’s former National Security Adviser John Bolton "has been raising this issue for decades, and it is a remote possibility. It was rejected first in the Bush administration."

Concerns persist about Iran’s devious behavior and its aim to build a nuclear weapon at all costs. As a result, there are calls to outlaw Iran’s plutonium reprocessing and impose rigorous surveillance on Iran’s plutonium infrastructure in a future deal with the U.S.

Andrea Stricker, the deputy director of The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) Nonproliferation and Biodefense Program, told Fox News Digital. "The United States must insist on a permanent and verified ban on plutonium reprocessing in Iran under any deal."

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Stricker noted that Moscow had realized the danger too. "To Russia’s rare credit, it insisted Iran let inspectors back in to safeguard the Bushehr reactor after the June 2025 strikes. Those inspections resumed last August. Plutonium produced at the reactor is not of desirable quality for nuclear weapons, and Iran has not focused on the plutonium route to nuclear weapons since the early 2000s, so it could be difficult for Tehran to work with. They would also need to illicitly acquire and outfit a plutonium reprocessing plant as well as sophisticated equipment to handle and chemically convert the fuel. All of this creates significant obstacles to its use as fuel for nuclear weapons."

She continued that "The IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) could mitigate any proliferation risk at Bushehr by increasing the frequency of inspections to monthly. Russia could also remove the spent fuel that has accumulated at the site."

US ‘locked and loaded’ for ‘much higher’ strikes if Iran talks fail as Trump pauses Hormuz ops

Wed, 06 May 2026 11:05:26 -0400

A fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is holding despite continued attacks, as President Donald Trump announced a pause in naval escort operations to allow negotiations to continue — while warning that failure to reach a deal would result in a significantly escalated bombing campaign.

Trump said the pause in Project Freedom — the U.S. mission to guide commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz — is intended to give negotiators time to finalize what he described as a potential "complete and final agreement" with Iran, while maintaining that the U.S. naval blockade would remain in place.

Trump suggested in a social media post Wednesday morning the conflict could soon come to an end if Iran agrees to the terms under discussion, but warned that if it does not, U.S. forces would resume bombing at a significantly higher level and intensity.

LEAVITT EXPLAINS WHY IRAN'S SEIZURE OF TWO SHIPS DOESN'T VIOLATE TRUMP'S CEASEFIRE

"Assuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to, which is, perhaps, a big assumption, the already legendary Epic Fury will be at an end, and the highly effective Blockade will allow the Hormuz Strait to be OPEN TO ALL, including Iran," Trump wrote Wednesday morning. "If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before."

"We prefer this to be a peaceful operation, but are locked and loaded to defend our people, our ships, our aircraft, and this mission without hesitation," War Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday.

Even as negotiations advance, Iran has continued attacks on commercial vessels and U.S. forces, which officials say remain "below the threshold" of restarting major combat operations.

Since the start of the ceasefire on April 7, Iran has fired at commercial vessels nine times and attacked U.S. forces more than 10 times, "all below the threshold of restarting major combat operations," according to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine.

"No, the ceasefire is not over. Ultimately, this is a separate and distinct project," Hegseth told reporters Tuesday. "We’re not looking for a fight."

But administration officials have not defined what level of escalation would constitute a violation of the ceasefire, even as attacks continue across the region.

Asked what level of firing would violate the ceasefire, Trump told reporters Tuesday: "You’ll find out."

"They know what to do, and they know what not to do," Trump went on. "They fired from little boats with peashooters… You know why? Because they don't have any boats anymore. Their Navy is comprised of, they call them little boats, right? Boats and they're fast. Yeah. They're so fast that, that they had eight of them and they're all gone, and they're fast, but they're not fast like a missile. A missile is slightly faster."

U.S. forces already have engaged Iranian assets directly. In recent days, American helicopters sank at least six Iranian fast-attack boats targeting commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, according to U.S. Central Command.

The latest exchanges are a far cry from the early days of the war, when U.S. forces were striking targets across Iran — from bridges and infrastructure near Tehran to a massive bombardment of Kharg Island.

The ceasefire initially was expected to include a gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping lane, but that has not materialized. Iran has continued to restrict access to the waterway, effectively maintaining a blockade even after the agreement took hold.

TRUMP ANNOUNCES 'PROJECT FREEDOM,' IRAN THREATENS ATTACKS, PAKISTAN ANNOUNCES US RELEASE OF SEIZED CARGO SHIP

In response, the U.S.-launched Project Freedom, a short-lived effort to direct stranded vessels through the strait, and has imposed its own restrictions on Iranian shipping, intercepting vessels and warning that ships entering or leaving Iranian ports could be turned back.

Iran, however, has accused the U.S. of violating the ceasefire, warning that any American interference in the strait is considered a breach of the agreement.

The violence has also extended beyond shipping lanes.

The United Arab Emirates said its air defenses intercepted 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles and four drones launched from Iran on Monday alone, resulting in injuries. Emirati officials say hundreds of missiles and drones have been intercepted since the start of the conflict, with civilian casualties reported.

The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply, and shipping companies remain hesitant to resume normal transit as attacks continue and insurance risks rise. Even with U.S. escorts, industry analysts say the current security environment is unlikely to restore regular traffic in the near term.

So far, two U.S.-escorted commercial ships have successfully transited so far under Project Freedom.

The ceasefire began as a two-week deal to allow both sides more time to agree to a permanent end to the war. But negotiations dragged on to almost the one-month mark and Trump said Sunday he finds Iran’s latest proposal unsatisfactory.

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"They want to make a deal, I'm not satisfied with it," he said. "They have not yet paid a big enough price for what they have done to humanity, and the world, over the last 47 years," he wrote on Truth Social Sunday.

Zelenskyy blasts ‘absolute cynicism’ as deadly Russian barrage hits Ukraine before planned ceasefire

Tue, 05 May 2026 20:39:19 -0400

Russian drone and missile strikes on Tuesday killed at least 22 people and wounded more than 80 across Ukraine, just hours before Kyiv had planned a ceasefire and days ahead of a pause announced by Moscow.

Glide bombs struck the Ukrainian cities of Kramatorsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Chernihiv on Tuesday afternoon, killing at least 17 civilians and injuring 45. Overnight attacks left five people dead and 39 wounded, according to The Associated Press.

"Absolute cynicism — to demand silence for holding propagandistic celebrations and then deliver such missile and drone strikes on all the days leading up to it," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on X.

RUSSIA BUILT GLOBAL RECRUITMENT PIPELINE TARGETING VULNERABLE MIGRANTS FOR UKRAINE WAR: REPORT

Zelenskyy added that Russia could end the war at any time.

"Every day, Russia could cease fire, and that would stop the war and our responses. Peace is needed, and real steps are required for it. Ukraine will act in kind," he said.

Russia’s Defense Ministry previously said it would impose a unilateral ceasefire on Friday and Saturday for Victory Day, but warned it would retaliate if Ukraine disrupts events, The Associated Press reported.

RUSSIAN MISSILES AND DRONES BOMBARD UKRAINE IN HOURSLONG ATTACK, KILLING AT LEAST 16

The United Nations welcomed the moves, with Secretary-General António Guterres urging a full ceasefire.

Guterres called for "a full, immediate, unconditional and lasting ceasefire, leading to a just, comprehensive, and sustainable peace, in line with the U.N. Charter, international law and relevant U.N. resolutions," The Associated Press reported.

Victory Day, observed each year on May 9 in Russia, marks the Allied victory over Nazi Germany.

EXAMINING NATO: INSIDE THE ‘COMMITMENT GAP’ AS US CARRIES ALLIANCE DETERRENCE

Russia has previously announced short holiday truces — most recently for Orthodox Easter — but they have failed to hold amid persistent mistrust between the two countries.

During that ceasefire, Ukraine’s military reported more than 2,200 violations, including shelling, assaults and drone activity.

Russia’s Defense Ministry, in turn, accused Ukrainian forces of nearly 2,000 breaches, including strikes in border regions that it said injured civilians.

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Fox News Digital's Stephen Sorace and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Brief alcohol ban in Damascus sparks concerns about President al-Sharaa's vision for Syria

Mon, 04 May 2026 14:23:02 -0400

There are growing fears among some in Syria that the government of President Ahmed al-Sharaa has the aim of clamping down on the rights and freedoms of its civilians by promoting a more conservative interpretation of Islam.

Local authorities in Syria’s capital, Damascus, recently banned restaurants and bars from selling alcohol in most parts of the city. Only venues in the majority-Christian neighborhoods of Damascus would be allowed to continue to sell alcohol, but only for takeaway. The move sparked minor protests throughout the capital, with security forces sent in to maintain order.

"What you're seeing is pressure from one part of Syrian society, the clerics and sort of harder-line Islamists who have a vision, an Islamist vision of how Syrian society should be," Robert Ford, former ambassador to Syria, told Fox News Digital. Syria's temporary constitution is guided by Islamic law.

EVANGELICAL LEADER SAYS US MUST PROTECT SYRIAN CHRISTIANS FROM ATTACKS BY JIHADI TERRORISTS

Syria’s social affairs minister, Hind Kabawat, a Christian and the only woman in al-Sharaa’s cabinet, pushed back on the idea that alcohol can only be consumed in Christian neighborhoods.

"Our neighborhoods are not places for alcohol, but the heart of Damascus," she said in a Facebook post.

"The strength of our nation is in its diversity, and any radical, extremist voice will cause our nation's weakness," she added.

In response to the outcry, Damascus authorities walked back the ban, saying that alcohol purchases could remain in places important for tourism, such as hotels and certain restaurants.

The move is a significant departure for everyday Syrians living in Damascus, where alcohol was readily available in bars and restaurants for decades, even under the authoritarian and oppressive rule of former dictator Bashar al-Assad.

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"Steps like these, which restrict freedoms in Syria, are worrying. When they have occurred far from Damascus, the central government can argue that it lacks sufficient control. But it is particularly meaningful to see such steps in Damascus since President al-Sharaa dominates there," Mara Karlin, a former Department of Defense official and professor at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), told Fox News Digital.

"If he is pushing an Islamist Syria, then it calls into question how much he is moving beyond his history," Karlin added.

Al-Sharaa, who led the Islamist rebel group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) to victory over Assad, has been on an international charm offensive since taking power, visiting foreign capitals and reintegrating Syria into the global community.

President Trump even endorsed al-Sharaa, who first met with him in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in May 2025 and again in November 2025 when Trump hosted him at the White House, the first time a Syrian leader had visited the White House since the country gained independence in 1946.

Karlin, who testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee in February on the challenges facing Syria after the fall of Assad, said that, while the Syrian government does include former jihadists, they have been mostly pragmatic and non-ideological in their governance.

She noted, however, that their reach beyond Damascus is weak and limited.

"There have been some troubling instances of restrictions on women’s freedom, for example, and indicators such as these merit close scrutiny for evidence of the Syrian government’s influence and ideology."

TRUMP ORDERS COMPLETE WITHDRAWAL OF ALL TROOPS FROM SYRIA WITHIN TWO MONTHS: REPORT

Ford, who was the last U.S. ambassador in Damascus in 2011, stressed that al-Sharaa is not a democrat and probably would like to impose parts of an Islamist vision on Syria, but has so far held back since overthrowing the Assad regime in 2024.

The ordinances in Damascus and elsewhere are imposed by local officials, but these officials are directly tied to the government and are loyal to al-Sharaa and likely support an Islamist vision for Syria.

Some worry the ban on alcohol could harm Syria’s fragile post-conflict reconstruction, particularly at a time when al-Sharaa is trying to reintegrate Syria into the world economy and rebuild the country’s tourism sector.

The World Bank estimated Syria’s reconstruction costs are about $216 billion after nearly 14 years of civil war. Syria’s minister of tourism previously said the country will need at least $100 million over the next seven years to rebuild the tourism industry.

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Alcohol isn’t the only target of some local authorities in Syria. Officials in the port city of Latakia in February banned women from wearing makeup at work. Another town outside Damascus prohibited men from working in female clothing stores to uphold public decency.

Ford said although some of the local ordinances are a cause for concern, it is a domestic issue, and Syrians will have to determine the role of religion in post-Assad Syria.

THE Associated Press contributed to this article.

Cargo ship attacked by small craft near Strait of Hormuz, UK maritime agency says

Sun, 03 May 2026 13:58:56 -0400

A large cargo ship was attacked by multiple small craft while transiting near the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, roughly 11 nautical miles west of Sirik, Iran, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center.

The master of the northbound bulk carrier reported the attack to UKMTO, which said all crew members were safe and no environmental impact had been reported. Vessels in the area were advised to transit with caution and report suspicious activity while authorities investigate.

The incident occurred near one of the world’s most sensitive maritime chokepoints and comes amid heightened tensions over Iranian threats to assert control over the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media reported that Tehran’s latest peace proposal to the U.S. says the strait should be governed and controlled by Iran.

"What is certain is that we will not step back from the Strait of Hormuz, and it will not return to its pre-war state," Ali Nikzad, deputy speaker of Iran’s parliament, said Sunday.

IRAN’S REMAINING WEAPONS: HOW TEHRAN CAN STILL DISRUPT THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ

The location is significant because territorial waters generally extend up to 12 nautical miles from a nation’s coastline. But under international maritime law, foreign-flagged vessels are allowed innocent passage through territorial seas so long as they are not engaging in threatening conduct, fishing or other prohibited activity.

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea says coastal states may claim a territorial sea up to 12 nautical miles, while foreign vessels are allowed "innocent passage" through those waters.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for Sunday’s attack. The vessel was not publicly identified in the initial UKMTO alert.

WHY THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ MATTERS AS TRUMP ISSUES FRESH ULTIMATUM TO IRAN

Iran has previously used fast-attack boats to harass or seize vessels in and around the strait. Sunday’s incident follows a series of maritime attacks in the region during the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the U.S. and Israel, with commercial shipping repeatedly caught in the middle.

The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and is a key route for global energy shipments. The U.S. Energy Information Administration has described it as a critical oil chokepoint, and roughly one-fifth of global petroleum liquids consumption moved through the strait in recent years.

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The UKMTO alert did not say whether the small craft were Iranian, and authorities were continuing to investigate.

Fox News' Bryan Llenas and Nick Kalman contributed to this report.

Trump aims to reset war powers clock with controversial bid to bypass Congress

Fri, 01 May 2026 18:58:04 -0400

President Donald Trump informed Congress Friday that a ceasefire with Iran has ended hostilities and reset the clock on congressional war powers limits, but legal experts say ongoing military operations complicate that claim.

"For War Powers Resolution purposes, the hostilities that began on Saturday, February 28 have terminated," a senior administration official told Fox News Digital.

"Both parties agreed to a 2-week ceasefire on Tuesday, April 7 that has since been extended," the official went on. "There has been no exchange of fire between U.S. Armed Forces and Iran since Tuesday, April 7."

The White House formally notified Congress in a letter Friday under the War Powers Resolution that it considers hostilities to have ended following the ceasefire.

LIVE UPDATES: IRAN THREATENS ‘LONG AND PAINFUL STRIKES’ ON US POSITIONS AS TRUMP FACES WAR POWERS DEADLINE

"Despite the success of United States operations against the Iranian regime and continued efforts to secure a lasting peace, the threat posed by Iran and its proxy forces remains significant. Accordingly, the Department of War continues to update its force posture in the AOR in select areas to counter Iranian proxy forces’ threats and to protect the United States and its allies and partners," Trump wrote in a letter to Congress Friday.

"As the situation evolves, I will continue to update the Congress on noteworthy changes in the United States Armed Forces presence, consistent with the War Powers Resolution."

For decades, presidents of both parties have pushed the limits of the War Powers Resolution, seeking flexibility to conduct military operations without being hindered by a congressional vote.

The law requires the president to end the use of U.S. forces within 60 days of entering hostilities unless Congress authorizes the operation, with a limited extension allowed for withdrawal.

The more than two-month conflict has exposed sharply different interpretations of the law and whether the White House must seek congressional approval. Bombing ceased on April 7, but U.S. forces continue enforcing a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz — an operation widely considered an act of war.

"A ceasefire does not automatically suspend the War Powers 60-day clock," said John Bellinger, who served as legal adviser to the State Department and National Security Council under President George W. Bush.

He pointed to the continued presence of U.S. warships and thousands of troops enforcing a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, arguing American forces "are clearly still conducting military operations and are in potential danger."

U.S. forces have continued boarding and seizing vessels suspected of violating the blockade, at times using force to disable ships before Marines conduct inspections.

Stephen Pomper, policy chief at the International Crisis Group and a former senior National Security Council official, was more direct.

"I don’t think it’s a very credible interpretation. It’s certainly not based on the text of the statute," Pomper said.

"There’s still an enormous American deployment. There’s an active blockade, which is an act of war."

Trump is far from the first president to test the limits of the War Powers resolution, experts noted.

During the late 1980s "Tanker War" with Iran, the George H.W. Bush administration argued that individual naval engagements did not amount to sustained hostilities. In 1999, the Clinton administration maintained that congressional funding for the Kosovo campaign effectively constituted authorization.

More recently, the Obama administration argued that U.S. involvement in Libya did not rise to the level of "hostilities" under the War Powers Resolution, even as American forces supported air operations. The Biden administration made similar arguments in defending certain U.S. deployments tied to Yemen.

"We have seen Republican and Democratic administrations alike bypass the act in creative ways," Nicholas Creel, Associate Prof. of Business Law at Georgia College and State University told Fox News Digital.

PELOSI'S WAR POWERS FLIP-FLOP EXPOSED IN RESURFACED OBAMA-ERA CLIP CONTRADICTS TRUMP CRITICISM ON IRAN

Congress has periodically challenged similar interpretations in past conflicts but has rarely forced a withdrawal of U.S. forces. Courts have also largely stayed out of War Powers disputes, leaving presidents with significant latitude to define the scope of hostilities.

If Congress does not act, the administration could continue operations without new authorization.

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"It’s really up to Congress, and as often as not, Congress doesn’t want to push back," Pomper said.

Matt Zierler, an international relations professor at Michigan State University, told Fox News Digital that Congress likely does not have the "real will" to fully execute the War Powers Act because other powers, such as passing appropriation bills that would restrict defense spending, would be more effective. Even so, Zierler said sequestration measures could come at a political loss.

"It's a big political loss, potentially for Congress, if they start cutting off funding," Zierler said, suggesting that the president could claim the cut in funds by Congress is hurting troops and national security.

"It is a political or symbolic game, but it's not necessarily something that most members of Congress want to play, because, you know, they don't have all the intelligence," Zierler said. "They don't know what's going on, and it can get really messy."

Asked about the 60-day clock on Thursday, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., told reporters: "I have not spent a great deal of time worrying about that."

Global famine fears rise as Hormuz crisis threatens ‘eight-year,' Suez-scale disruption

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:16:06 -0400

Analysts warn global famine fears are rising as food prices climb and fragile supply chains are strained during the Strait of Hormuz crisis, raising the risk of a prolonged, Suez-scale, eight-year disruption.

As the conflict entered Day 62, the U.S. maintained its naval blockade of traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports, while Iran continued to effectively close the Strait.

"Best case, there is an agreement between the U.S. and Iran within the next few weeks, and the Strait reopens," Lars Jensen, CEO and partner at Vespucci Maritime, told Fox News Digital.

"And it has to be a deal where there is trust that Iran is sufficiently satisfied with the deal such that they do not suddenly close the strait again.

LIVE UPDATES: IRAN THREATENS 'LONG AND POWERFUL STRIKES' ON U.S. POSITIONS AS TRUMP FACES WAR POWERS DEADLINE

"Even in that case, it will still take months for the supply chains to revert back to normality."

President Donald Trump announced April 21 he would delay renewed strikes on Iran until it presents a proposal for long-term peace, effectively extending a 14-day ceasefire indefinitely.

AIRLINES MAY CUT FLIGHT SCHEDULES AS IRAN TENSIONS DRIVE UP FUEL COSTS, EXPERTS WARN

Trump said Washington’s blockade of Iranian ports has been effective, urging Tehran to "just give up" as tensions escalate over the waterway.

"Worst case, we can look at the eight-year closure of the Suez Canal from 1967 to 1975," Jensen said.

ISRAELI OFFICIALS REPORTEDLY WARN IRAN'S BALLISTIC MISSILES COULD TRIGGER SOLO MILITARY ACTION AGAINST TEHRAN

"Despite its importance to the global economy, it proved impossible to reopen the canal for those eight years," he said.

The Suez Canal, shut from 1967 to 1975 after the Arab-Israeli conflict, has faced recurring disruption, including Red Sea attacks since 2023, driving up insurance costs, creating a "shadow blockade" and curbing traffic.

For Hormuz, Jensen says fertilizer, which is central to agricultural production, is the most critical factor, and any sustained disruption could quickly ripple through global food systems.

"Fertilizer is the most important element. Thirty percent of the world’s seaborne fertilizer comes from the Persian Gulf," Jensen said. "Fertilizer prices are already rising fast," he warned.

IRAN FIRES LIVE MISSILES INTO STRAIT OF HORMUZ AS TRUMP ENVOYS ARRIVE FOR NUCLEAR TALKS

"In wealthy countries, it means more expensive food come harvest season, and, in poor countries, it means that farmers right now cannot afford fertilizer," Jensen added.

"This will lead to the harvest being lower later in the season, leading to rapid increases in food prices in very poor countries. And such a situation increases the risk of famine and conflict."

Diplomatic efforts remained fragile between the U.S. and Iran as of Thursday, with limited signs of progress.

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According to reports, a giant banner hangs on a building in Tehran’s central Enqelab Square declaring, "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed; the entire Persian Gulf is our hunting ground."

"Cargo vessels are not going through for the simple reason that commercial companies do not want to see their seafarers potentially killed," Jensen added.

‘No credibility’: Obama’s top Iran negotiator torched by State Department after ripping Trump war plan

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 10:53:45 -0400

As the leader of President Barack Obama’s negotiating team on the nuclear agreement with Iran, Wendy Sherman launched a no-holds-barred attack on President Donald Trump’s Iran strategy over the weekend.

Sherman, who served as undersecretary of state for political affairs during the Obama administration and as deputy secretary of state under President Joe Biden, took aim at Trump’s Iran policy in recent interviews.

Sherman’s assault on the Trump administration’s war strategy in a Bloomberg News interview raised eyebrows because it comes at a time when the administration is inflicting enormous economic pressure on Tehran’s rulers via the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

TRUMP UNLEASHES ON OBAMA'S 'DISASTER' IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL, SAYS HE WAS 'HONORED' TO RIP IT APART

Having played a key role in sealing the widely criticized 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, which Trump withdrew from in 2018, she slammed Trump’s Iran plan in the Bloomberg interview. "He doesn’t have a strategy. He’s very tactical [and] very transactional — as he was as a developer. In this case, I don’t think that approach will work."

She added, "He has cost our alliances, American taxpayers, 13 American lives, our inventory of weapons, our ability to project power abroad."

In response to her controversial comments, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott strongly pushed back, telling Fox News Digital, "She was literally part of the team that handed the Iranian regime billions of dollars and a roadmap to a nuclear weapon. She has no credibility. The facts: Under the previous administration, wars broke out, and our enemies grew stronger. Under President Trump, historic peace deals have been signed — including an unprecedented peace plan for Gaza — and the Iranian regime will never obtain a nuclear weapon."

NUCLEAR EXPERTS WARN IRAN’S URANIUM ‘RIGHT’ IS A MYTH, SAY TRUMP IS RIGHT TO HOLD FIRM

Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz, who just dropped his Democratic Party membership by registering as a Republican, told Fox News Digital: "She is the primary villain of the deal that gave Iran a nuclear bomb. She has no credibility. If Iran develops a bomb, it should put her name on it."

Adding to the growing anti-Israel sentiment among Democrats, Sherman also attacked Israel in the interview. She said, without giving any evidence, "I also believe that Prime Minister [Benjamin Netanyahu] has led us down a road — and we have been part of it — that has, in essence, created a genocide in Gaza that has destabilized the Middle East."

When asked about Sherman’s criticism of Israel, Dershowitz said, "She is a bigot and anti-Israel. She sees everything through the lens of Barack Obama."

Obama faced criticism during his tenure for his alleged anti-Israel policies, including allowing an anti-Israel U.N. Security Council resolution to pass in the last days of his presidency.

In a Wall Street Journal opinion article last week, Dershowitz wrote: "The Democratic Party has become the most anti-Israel party in U.S. history. Last week, all but seven Senate Democrats voted for an arms embargo against the Jewish state… There is no denying that the hard left, anti-Israel wing of the Democratic Party has moved from the fringe to the mainstream."

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Asked to respond to the criticism of her remarks on Iran, Israel and Dershowitz’s comments, Solveig Reeker, a representative for Sherman, told Fox News Digital, "I'm sorry Ambassador Sherman is not available at this time and must decline."

Russia built global recruitment pipeline targeting vulnerable migrants for Ukraine war: report

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:38:10 -0400

Russia has built what human rights investigators describe as a global pipeline recruiting vulnerable foreign nationals into its war against Ukraine, drawing tens of thousands from more than 130 countries through what groups allege are coercive, deceptive and in some cases trafficking-like practices.

After suffering major battlefield losses and seeking to avoid another politically risky domestic mobilization, Moscow institutionalized a worldwide recruitment system targeting some of the world’s most vulnerable populations to sustain its war machine, a new report by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Truth Hounds and the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights argues.

Russia has recruited at least 27,000 foreign nationals since February 2022 from countries across Central and South Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America, according to the report. Ukrainian authorities cited in the report project that Russia could recruit another 18,500 foreign nationals in 2026 alone, which would mark the highest annual total since the full-scale invasion began.

AS WAR LOSSES NEAR 2 MILLION, RUSSIA ACCUSED OF TRAFFICKING FOREIGN RECRUITS FROM AFRICA, ASIA

"This report highlights something fundamental: that the use of foreign fighters by Russia is neither a marginal nor a spontaneous phenomenon. Russia has built a global recruitment system that deliberately targets the most vulnerable populations — undocumented migrants, detainees, precarious workers, or even foreign students — across dozens of countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America," said Alexis Deswaef, president of the International Federation for Human Rights.

"Many of these men knew in some capacity what they were signing up for. But some were also deceived or coerced. But in all cases, it is a State that has instrumentalised them as part of its war machine and sent them to the most dangerous positions on the frontline."

The report’s central allegation is that Russia’s recruitment apparatus extends far beyond traditional mercenary networks and instead functions as a state-enabled global system that exploits poverty, legal vulnerability and migration insecurity.

Investigators say recruitment evolved from relying primarily on ideologically motivated volunteers early in the war to a broader institutionalized model by mid-2023, after Russia expanded legal eligibility for foreign nationals, eased language and residency requirements, and offered citizenship and financial incentives in exchange for service.

NORTH KOREAN LABORERS DESCRIBE BRUTAL FORCED LABOR IN RUSSIA: "WORKING LIKE A COW, EARNING NOTHING"

In some cases, according to the report, migrants inside Russia were allegedly pressured to enlist through raids, detention threats, document confiscation, fabricated criminal charges and abuse. Outside Russia, recruits were often allegedly lured through promises of civilian jobs, noncombat positions or pathways to Europe, only to be routed into military contracts they often could not read.

Of 16 prisoners of war interviewed for the report, 13 said they were told they would not be required to fight, but were later deployed to frontline positions, often within weeks.

The report also alleges many foreign recruits were funneled into so-called "meat assaults" — high-risk frontal attacks associated with severe casualty rates. Ukrainian estimates cited in the report say at least 3,388 foreign fighters have been killed, with some estimates suggesting one in five recruits may not survive deployment.

HEGSETH WARNS RUSSIA AS SIGNS POINT TO MOSCOW SHARING INTEL WITH IRAN

"Despite the fact that many states are taking measures to curb recruitment, and although Russia claims it is no longer recruiting citizens from certain countries, the predatory recruitment continues. Ukrainian authorities predict that in 2026 Russia will engage more 18,500 foreign nationals, marking the highest annual figure since 2022," said Maria Tomak, associated researcher and advocacy expert at Truth Hounds.

"This underscores the continued relevance of our report. Our primary objective remains clear: to halt recruitment and to compel Russia to repatriate those already recruited."

The report stops short of claiming every foreign fighter was trafficked, noting some enlisted voluntarily for financial gain, but concludes there are reasonable grounds to believe at least some cases meet international definitions of trafficking in persons through deception, coercion and exploitation.

For investigators, the broader concern is that Russia’s war effort may now depend in part on a transnational manpower pipeline that weaponizes global inequality, drawing economically desperate men from around the world into one of Europe’s deadliest conflicts.

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The report calls on governments, international organizations and Ukraine’s allies to crack down on recruitment networks, pressure Moscow diplomatically and push for repatriation of foreign nationals already caught in Russia’s military system.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C., and Russia’s Defense Ministry for comment but did not receive a response.

Long-lost warship destroyed by iconic naval commander discovered centuries later: 'Quite remarkable'

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 06:00:04 -0400

Danish archaeologists recently uncovered a ship that was battered by the forces of Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson — one of the most renowned naval commanders of his time.

The Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, Denmark, announced in a release this month that its researchers uncovered the remains of the Dannebroge, a blockship destroyed during the Battle of Copenhagen on April 2, 1801.

The ship's remnants were found ahead of construction of the Lynetteholm project, and its discovery was announced on the 225th anniversary of the battle.

ANCIENT ROMAN SOLDIER'S MONTHLY PAYCHECK UNEARTHED IN PRISTINE CONDITION IN COUNTRYSIDE

The vessel, representing Danish-Norwegian forces, attempted to protect the city of Copenhagen before it was "heavily hit, caught fire and ultimately exploded," during the attack by the British, the museum said.

The battle was fought during the Napoleonic Wars, as Britain attacked Denmark to break a neutral alliance with other European powers that threatened British naval supremacy.

Some 700 people — the majority of them Danish — were killed in the battle, including at least 56 men aboard the Dannebroge, with 19 more listed as missing.

Pictures from the excavation reveal a haunting array of artifacts. The items include worn shoes, personal belongings and various everyday items left behind — plus a human lower jaw bone.

WINTER STORMS REVEAL POSSIBLE 17TH-CENTURY SHIPWRECK TIED TO ARMED CARIBBEAN VOYAGES

Otto Uldum, maritime archaeologist at the Danish Viking Ship Museum, said in a release he was positive the remains matched the description of the Dannebroge.

"The dimensions of the timbers correspond exactly to the drawings of the ship that survive, and the dendrochronological dating matches the vessel’s year of construction in 1772," said Uldum.

"So we are stating this with a degree of certainty that borders on absolute. ... We have found Dannebroge and the remains of those who never made it ashore after the battle."

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Uldum noted that the seabed is filled with cannonballs and shot — and excavators even found two cannons.

"We have found a number of personal belongings," he said. "Shoes and fragments of clothing, and various small items the sailors would have carried with them — clay pipes, uniform insignia and weapons."

Uldum added that, in addition to the jaw bone, his team also discovered "several other bones, including ribs, which could very well be human."

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The remains belonged to at least one of the 19 men who were reported missing — something that officials realized was a possibility before they began diving.

"Even before the excavation began, the archaeologists knew they might encounter human remains in the wreck," the release noted.

The Battle of Copenhagen is a defining moment in Danish history, and played a part in shaping the nation's identity — making the excavation especially significant for the country.

"Although the battle is a central event in Danish history, no one, to my knowledge, has examined it archaeologically until now," said Uldum. "That is actually quite remarkable."

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The reason is Denmark's long-standing policy of leaving historic shipwrecks undisturbed unless they are threatened, said Morten Johansen, the head of maritime archaeology at the Viking Ship Museum.

The archaeologist told Fox News Digital on April 23 that it is illegal to "disturb, touch or remove material from these wrecks without permission."

"The current archaeological work is taking place solely because the wreck lies within an area affected by planned construction," he noted. "When development threatens protected cultural heritage, Danish legislation requires archaeological investigations to be carried out."

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"In other words, it is not a lack of interest or awareness that explains why this is the first archaeological excavation of a shipwreck from the Battle of Copenhagen."

Safe sex is about to get more expensive, world’s largest condom maker warns

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:49:46 -0400

The Iran war could hit consumers where they least expect it: condom prices.

Karex, the world’s largest condom manufacturer, told Reuters it may soon hike prices by as much as 30% as the Middle East conflict strains global energy and supply chains.

The warning underscores how the war is driving up costs, delaying shipments and squeezing supply. And the impact on condom prices highlights how even niche consumer goods are caught up in broader global disruptions.

WHY THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ MATTERS AS TRUMP ISSUES FRESH ULTIMATUM TO IRAN

It all traces back to the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global energy supplies, where shipping has slowed sharply. The shipping lane is surrounded by Iran, Oman and the United Arab Emirates and is widely disputed amid the conflict as ships — especially those carrying oil and other fuel — are prevented from traversing through the contentious waterway.

The bottleneck is also driving up the cost of petroleum-based products like plastics and rubber, which are found in everything from medical supplies to household items to clothing and beauty products.

That’s creating a one-two punch — higher costs and shipping delays that are shrinking supply and raising prices.

Amid those pressures, Karex CEO Goh Miah Kiat said the energy crunch has him weighing a price increase.

THE MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT MIGHT DISRUPT YOUR SUMMER BBQ PLANS THIS YEAR

Kiat says the conflict has pushed aluminum used in foil packaging to a four-year high and silicone oil, a key ingredient in condom manufacturing, is up about 30%. Shortages of synthetic rubber used in some non-latex condoms are further adding to the strain.

Karex, a Malaysia-based firm that produces more than 5 billion condoms every year and exports to more than 130 countries, is struggling to keep up as demand outpaces supply. Karex supplies to the world's largest condom brands, including Trojan and Durex.

Shipping delays are worsening the crunch on getting these products to customers, with more inventory stuck at sea than reaching shelves. Karex products going to the U.S. and Europe are taking up to two months to arrive, while developing countries already facing shortages are seeing even longer delays.

There are growing concerns that these disruptions could hit some of the world’s most vulnerable populations since Karex helps supply United Nations aid programs.

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Karex also manufactures personal lubricants, catheters, probe covers and gloves, underscoring the broader impact supply disruptions could have beyond condoms.

For consumers, that could mean paying more at the checkout counter for a basic health product.

Unexploded mortar shell from bloodiest battle in country's history unearthed after nearly 280 years

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 06:00:55 -0400

Archaeologists have uncovered a mortar shell from the bloodiest battle in Scotland's history — a shell that never detonated.

The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) announced in mid-April that its archaeologists had found a mortar shell at Culloden Battlefield, just outside Inverness in the Scottish Highlands.

The Battle of Culloden was fought on April 16, 1746, when a Jacobite force led by Charles Edward Stuart — known as Bonnie Prince Charlie — clashed with troops loyal to King George II.

SURPRISED ARCHAEOLOGISTS UNEARTH ANCIENT GRAVES CAUGHT BETWEEN PAGAN, CHRISTIAN RITUALS IN POLAND

In under an hour, the Jacobites were crushed, ending any serious bid to restore the Stuart monarchy. Culloden remains the last large-scale pitched battle fought on British soil.

Officials believe that the recently uncovered shell was fired by government artillery during the battle.

"Intact and gunpowder-packed when it was discovered, the 5.5-inch shell is the first piece of complete government ordnance found at Culloden battlefield. [It] provides fresh evidence for the deployment and action of government and Jacobite forces at pivotal moments in the battle," the statement said.

DISCOVERY AT MONTICELLO REVEALS CONSTRUCTION SECRETS THOMAS JEFFERSON LEFT OUT OF MAPS AND LETTERS

"Many other projectiles, including cannon shot, musket balls and fragments of mortar shells, have been uncovered at Culloden, but never before has undetonated ordnance been found," the statement also said.

The shell, weighing nearly 18 pounds, is believed to have been fired from one of the government's Coehorn mortars.

It was uncovered during excavations in October 2025, but officials did not announce the discovery until April 16 — which marked the 280th anniversary of the Battle of Culloden.

Other projectiles, including pistol shot and lead musket balls, were also found.

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"Parts of the battlefield are on boggy ground, and it is thought the shell landed on wet ground and the fuse extinguished before it could ignite the powder," noted officials.

The shell still contained remnants of its original plug and traces of plant material, which were recovered for analysis.

Officials said that, once the black powder in the shell was exposed, there was a "slight exothermic reaction."

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A specialist "safely cleaned out the interior of the shell, preserved samples of the contents for further study, and certified the shell as free from explosive hazard," the release noted.

In a statement, the NTS's head of archaeology, Derek Alexander, called the discovery a "remarkable — dare I say, explosive — find of the kind archaeologists dream of, but never expect to encounter."

"Along with the other projectiles recovered, this discovery helps us better understand the formation of troops and concentration of fire during this brief, but brutal, battle," said Alexander.

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"The mortars may have been aiming at the Jacobite artillery, so the place where the shell landed may mark the heart of the Culloden battlefield."

An NTS official told Fox News Digital the shell was buried nearly a foot underground — something only professional archaeologists could uncover — and that the site remains safe for visitors.

The discovery comes just months after officials announced a similar find at the same battle site.

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In late 2025, officials announced archaeologists had uncovered a cache of bullets fired during the Battle of Culloden, shedding new light on its final moments.

Nuclear experts warn Iran’s uranium ‘right’ is a myth, say Trump is right to hold firm

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 15:42:26 -0400

Amid charged exchanges between President Trump and Iran’s fragmented leadership over the regime's insistence that it retain its nuclear enrichment system, top experts on Iran’s atomic weapons program support the commander in chief’s ironclad goal to dissolve it.

One of the main sticking points during the intense talks between Tehran and Washington centers on Iran’s claim that the rogue regime has a right to enrich and possess weapons-grade uranium, the material required to build an atomic bomb.

The showdown over enriched uranium might be the core deal-breaker issue when and if the next round of talks to reach a nuclear agreement goes ahead in Pakistan.

GOP SENATORS: CONGRESS SHOULD VOTE ON TRUMP'S POTENTIAL IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baqaei, vehemently rejected Trump’s demand last week on state-controlled television.

"Iran’s enriched uranium is not going to be transferred anywhere under any circumstances," Baqaei declared.

Trump claimed Iran had agreed to "give us back the nuclear dust that’s way underground." The President terms Iran’s 440 kilograms of enriched uranium as "nuclear dust" after sustained U.S. military strikes on Iranian sites that store the country’s stockpile of uranium.

"The United States should insist on a permanent ban of Iranian enrichment and its full dismantlement in negotiations. Iran retaining any enrichment infrastructure in anticipation of the end of a moratorium would allow it to cheat as soon as Trump leaves office and resume its path to nuclear weapons," Andrea Stricker, deputy director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies' nonproliferation program, told Fox News Digital.

Jonathan Ruhe, fellow for American strategy at JINSA, echoed Stricker on the importance of abolishing the Iranian enrichment program. He told Fox News Digital, "An acceptable deal would have to embody many of Trump’s stated redlines from his first administration, and from the run-up to last summer’s 12-Day War.

"This means permanent bans on enrichment, reprocessing and weaponization capability and, equally importantly, full verification of Iran’s compliance with these strictures."

IRANIAN PRESIDENT CALLS FOR NEGOTIATION AND DIALOGUE AS NUCLEAR TALKS CONTINUE

President Trump withdrew from President Obama’s widely criticized nuclear deal with Iran, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), in 2018.

"In theory, the so-called ‘Iran deal’ was supposed to protect the United States and our allies from the lunacy of an Iranian nuclear bomb, a weapon that will only endanger the survival of the Iranian regime," Trump said at the time. "In fact, the deal allowed Iran to continue enriching uranium and, over time, reach the brink of a nuclear breakout."

Ruhe said, "The JCPOA failed to ensure IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] inspectors could monitor, and account for, the entirety of Iran’s program and its compliance with the deal. This problem has worsened significantly in the decade since, as Iran systematically stonewalled inspectors.

"Iran’s negotiators always drag out talks and avoid giving clear answers. They still think time is on their side, with their blockade hurting the global economy and their missile arsenals being dug out and prepared for renewed conflict. Trump should insist on a definitive response from Tehran and be ready for renewed operations.

IRAN SIGNALS NUCLEAR PROGRESS IN GENEVA AS TRUMP CALLS FOR FULL DISMANTLEMENT

"As a cautionary tale: The Obama team first entered nuclear talks with stringent redlines, but then they let Iran call their bluffs, ignore their deadlines and wear down their demands until we ended up with the JCPOA," Ruhe said.

Iran is a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) that obligates it not to enrich uranium for military purposes. However, U.S. and European intelligence reports have documented Iran’s illicit proliferation activities.

Ruhe said, "This regime cynically wants it both ways: They insist the NPT gives the ‘right’ to peaceful enrichment, yet they flout the treaty’s safeguards. By claiming this ‘right,’ they try to make certain core issues non-negotiable. By this logic, they should get to retain enrichment capacity. So, the questions then become how much and what the U.S. has to give in return for this supposed sacrifice by Iran.

"As the Non-Proliferation Treaty’s name indicates, it’s an agreement to prevent proliferation, not to promote nuclear development."

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Stricker said Rafael Grossi, the head of the IAEA, recently said, "It’s fiction that the NPT specifically mentions ‘enrichment’ in its peaceful uses clause. Moreover, the prevailing legal demand from the U.N. Security Council is that Iran stop enriching and come back into compliance with its nonproliferation obligations.

For nearly 25 years, the IAEA has been unable to conclude that all of Iran’s nuclear material and activities are devoted to peaceful uses."

She added that "Iran’s enrichment program began through illicit procurements and covert facilities, under a nuclear weapons program that planned to use enriched uranium as fuel. Iran was clearly stockpiling material for an apparent nuclear weapons breakout."

The Iran ceasefire was just extended. The real test for Washington starts now

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:00:29 -0400

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that he would extend the ceasefire with Iran — with no set deadline — until Tehran’s leaders can "come up with a unified proposal." That announcement landed hours after Vice President JD Vance’s trip to Islamabad for a second round of peace talks was canceled without explanation, after Iranian officials told U.S. counterparts through Pakistani intermediaries that they would not appear at the table. Trump had said that very morning he did not want to extend. By Tuesday evening, he did.

The extension may have been unavoidable. What happened in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday makes clear exactly what Washington bought.

A Necessary Word About Our Military

Before addressing what comes next, one point must be stated plainly.

TRUMP TELLS 'STRANGE' IRANIAN NEGOTIATORS TO 'GET SERIOUS SOON' OR 'IT WON'T BE PRETTY'

The United States military performed with exceptional professionalism and precision. From naval forces operating in the confined waters of the Strait of Hormuz to air crews executing complex strike missions across 55 days of conflict, our forces imposed actual costs on a dangerous adversary. They disrupted Iranian capabilities, demonstrated American reach and restored a measure of deterrence that had eroded over decades.

That performance should not be minimized. But military excellence does not automatically produce strategic resolution — and the IRGC’s response to the ceasefire extension proves the point.

The IRGC’s Answer

Wednesday was the founding anniversary of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iran’s government chose to mark it not with diplomatic gestures, but with an unmistakable message.

The IRGC seized two vessels — the MSC Francesca and the Epaminodes — detaining them for what it called operating without authorization and manipulating navigation systems. A commander in the IRGC’s Aerospace Force warned Gulf neighbors that if their land or facilities were used against Iran, they should "say goodbye to oil production in the Middle East region," specifically naming sites in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. On Tuesday night, as the extension was announced, Iranian state media wheeled out a ballistic missile in Tehran’s Revolution Square, with similar displays in multiple cities. The IRGC marked its founding anniversary with a formal statement declaring it was "at the peak of readiness" and would "inflict crushing blows beyond the enemy’s imagination on their remaining assets in the region." On Wednesday morning, at least three container ships were struck by gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades in the strait, with a Liberia-flagged vessel sustaining heavy damage to its bridge.

This is what a ceasefire looks like when one party treats the pause as preparation.

A Fractured Government Cannot Sign a Durable Deal

Trump’s announcement cited Iran’s "seriously fractured" government as the reason for the open-ended extension — Washington is waiting for Tehran to coalesce around a single position. That framing reflects a genuine intelligence assessment. Iran’s civilian negotiators, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, reportedly favored continuing talks. The IRGC refused, blocking further negotiations while the U.S. naval blockade persists.

A fractured government is not an opening. It is a warning.

The IRGC does not negotiate. It controls the Strait of Hormuz, commands Iran’s missile arsenal, and runs the proxy network from Baghdad to Beirut. Any deal that Araghchi or Ghalibaf signs is only as durable as IRGC compliance — and the IRGC answered the ceasefire extension with seized vessels, missile parades and threats to Gulf energy infrastructure.

Mahdi Mohammadi, senior advisor to Ghalibaf, dismissed Trump’s announcement, saying it "has no meaning" and that "the continuation of the blockade is no different from bombing." That is not a negotiating posture. That is the hardline wing of Tehran speaking through a civilian mouthpiece.

The Blockade Paradox

TRUMP TOUTS AIRMAN RESCUE MISSION, BOASTS IRAN COULD BE 'TAKEN OUT IN 1 NIGHT'

Trump announced the extension and was explicit: the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports continues. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent put it plainly — the Iranian regime "must be held accountable for its extortion of global energy markets." The day of Trump’s announcement, Brent crude surged past $101 a barrel. The EU energy commissioner warned earlier this week that Europe faces a difficult summer of fuel shortages, adding that even in the best-case scenario, recovering pre-war production levels could take more than two years.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Araghchi called the blockade an "act of war" and a direct violation of the ceasefire. Tehran’s position is fixed: it will not negotiate while the blockade remains in place.

The blockade is the right instrument of pressure. But Iran’s hardliners are using it as the publicly stated reason to refuse talks. Iran’s civilian leadership wants relief. The IRGC does not. Lifting the blockade rewards the IRGC without a concession. Keeping it gives the hardliners their ready-made pretext. An open-ended extension with no deadline does nothing to resolve that trap.

What Washington Cannot Afford to Miss

Trump’s own advisors warned him privately that extending without a deadline removes the pressure that brought Iran to the table. Iran has used every diplomatic pause in its modern history to stall, preserve leverage and avoid binding commitments. This extension is not different in kind — only in duration.

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The IRGC’s anniversary message was not accidental. Sixteen missile and drone strikes have hit Iraqi Kurdistan since the ceasefire began. A Khorramshahr-4 ballistic missile rolled through Tehran’s streets on Tuesday night. Gulf neighbors are now on notice that their oil infrastructure is a target if they align with Washington. These are not the actions of a regime preparing to concede. They are the actions of a regime that reads the open-ended extension as its next strategic advantage.

A deal signed by Iran’s civilian leaders that the IRGC will not honor is not a deal. It is a ceasefire on paper and a conflict in practice. Washington has seen that outcome before. The question is whether it is prepared to demand better.

The Bottom Line

President Donald Trump made the decision to act, and that decision imposed genuine costs on Iran. The U.S. military executed with distinction across Operation Epic Fury.

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But the measure of this conflict will not be the strikes we conducted. It will be whether Washington secures a verifiable, durable settlement — or accepts ambiguous language that the IRGC will discard the moment it calculates the price is acceptable.

The ceasefire has been extended. Iran’s hardliners have answered with seized ships, missile rallies and threats to the Gulf. The question now is not whether the United States has leverage. It plainly does. The question is whether Washington is willing to use it before the open-ended clock runs out.

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Freed hostage Rom Braslavski details abuse, starvation during 738 days in Gaza captivity

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 15:48:36 -0400

EXCLUSIVE: Former hostage Rom Braslavski said he endured physical and emotional abuse while held above ground by Palestinian terrorists in Gaza, at times surviving on just half a pita bread and a morsel of cheese. And he was injected with an unknown substance after collapsing from exhaustion during a transfer in the Strip, he told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview.

Braslavski, 19, was abducted from the Supernova festival during the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, massacre, where he had been working as a security guard while completing his mandatory military service, a fact he concealed for months. During the first four months of his captivity, he posed as a 16-year-old who sold shawarma at the festival.

A terrorist he described as a Palestinian Islamic Jihad cyber expert later arrived with a laptop and headphones and began questioning him. Fearing his cover had been blown, Braslavski then revealed his identity.

PARENTS OF AMERICAN MURDERED BY HAMAS MAKE 'PLEA' TO TRUMP AFTER LATEST HOSTAGE RELEASE

"They immediately reduced my food by three-quarters. I was on half a pita, a bit of cheese, a rotten tomato and a small bottle of water, when before I received two or three pitas and a liter of water," he told Fox News Digital.

For the next three months, Braslavski said he was held in isolation without daylight, describing the experience as so dark and lonely he began hitting his head against the wall.

At that point, he was forced to walk to a sprawling complex of about 20,000 tents near Nasser Hospital. Along the way, he collapsed from hunger and exhaustion, was injected with an unknown substance and forced to continue moving.

"I was encircled by members of Islamic Jihad. Nobody told me where we were going. I cried, thinking they were either going to kill me or take me to a tunnel to torture me more aggressively," Braslavski told Fox News Digital.

"I walked without energy, breathing air as if those were my last breaths, thinking it would be the last time I would see the light of day. I kept going."

At the complex, Braslavski said tents were tightly packed with no privacy, while vehicles destroyed by missiles had been converted into makeshift shelters. The camp included donkeys and camels, and people relieved themselves in the open. He described extreme heat that made it difficult to breathe.

Braslavski remained in one such tent for four months. While the terrorist in charge instructed others not to abuse him, one of the four guards — a young man whose name he declined to share — ignored those orders.

TRUMP PROMISES 'HELL TO PAY' IN MIDDLE EAST IF HOSTAGES ARE NOT RELEASED BEFORE HE TAKES OFFICE

"He did everything he could to break me. Once, he brought me food, spat in it and forced me to eat it. He humiliated me constantly. I had a small opening in the tent to breathe air, and he would come by and close it. When I told him I couldn’t breathe, he would slap me and laugh with the others. He showed me videos of violence against our soldiers. He would bind my hands and feet for no reason," Braslavski said.

Although he was not supposed to be physically harmed without cause, Braslavski said the guard routinely insulted him, threatened his family and forced him into degrading acts until it became unbearable.

Braslavski told Fox News Digital the abuse left him overwhelmed with hatred, prompting him to attack the guard with all his strength and use whatever he could find around him to inflict harm, ultimately succeeding.

"He started to run to get his Kalashnikov, and I realized I could either continue or take a bullet to the head. I kept hitting him with all my strength. He became weak. I was also weak, but my body and mind disconnected from everything, and I continued," Braslavski recounted.

NYC STUDENTS EXPOSE 'EXTREMIST' PROFESSORS FOSTERING CAMPUS ANTISEMITISM AT MAJOR UNIVERSITIES

After three to four minutes, another terrorist intervened, and the guard Braslavski had attacked was taken to a hospital.

"The day that followed was the second darkest of my life after Oct. 7. It is marked in my memory, my soul and my body. The chief terrorist decided to respond severely to what I did, and, from there, I entered a loop of constant abuse," he said.

Braslavski said he was thereafter allowed to sleep no more than an hour and a half per day in short intervals.

"They would hit me with whatever they had on hand. I underwent severe torture, bondage and sexual abuse. Everything they could do to me, they did. My body is still covered in scars. After four months of torture, I was clinically dead, rolling my eyes and passing out. They decided to stop the violence and brought doctors to treat me with injections and gave me food again," he added.

During Operation Gideon’s Chariots, which began in May 2025 with the stated goal of defeating Hamas and securing the return of hostages through military pressure, Braslavski said the terrorist overseeing his guards was injured and lost a family member, triggering another cycle of torture and starvation.

"I weighed 49 kilos (108 pounds), and the senior terrorist, who weighed 90 kilos (198 pounds), would jump on my neck and try to break it. I was on the verge of death again. That is when the propaganda video showing me was released, and it is possible to see marks on my body from the abuse. My bones were protruding. I could no longer go to the bathroom normally. Everything in my body stopped functioning. I was close to death, and that is when President Donald Trump came into the picture," he told Fox News Digital.

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With each step forward in negotiations toward a deal, Braslavski said his condition gradually improved until he was released in October 2025 after 738 days in captivity.

What keeps him going as a free man, he said, is his faith.

"I have a dark past, but I must have a bright future. I want to forget what happened, although I can’t. God gave me back my life as a gift — not once, but twice. I need to do at least the minimum, which is to live, rehabilitate myself and put this all behind me," he said.

Taylor Sheridan's new war movie gets major update, legendary director attached

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 11:00:33 -0400

Taylor Sheridan's upcoming war movie will hit theaters in 2028.

The "Yellowstone" creator's empire continues to rapidly expand, and he secured a deal that reportedly is worth more than $1 billion to join NBCUniversal.

Most of his focus remains on the "Yellowstone" universe, with spinoffs in the works or already airing. However, he's also taking his talents to the big screen with an upcoming "Call of Duty" film.

TAYLOR SHERIDAN SAYS HOLLYWOOD DIDN’T BELIEVE IN YELLOWSTONE, NOW IT’S A TV EMPIRE

Taylor Sheridan's "Call of Duty" film gets official release date

It was announced at CinemaCon on Thursday that the upcoming film based on the video game series will premiere June 30, 2028, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Sheridan is responsible for writing the script, and Hollywood legend Peter Berg will direct the film. Berg has multiple major films to his credits.

He's responsible for "Friday Night Lights," "Lone Survivor" and "Patriots Day." Now, he's linking up with the most talented creative mind in Hollywood for a "Call of Duty" film.

Given Sheridan and Berg's record, it's hard to imagine the film won't go insanely hard. Look at what Sheridan did with "Wind River" and "Sicario" for examples of what happens when he goes dark and gritty.

MICHELLE PFEIFFER FOUGHT 'BATTLE' WITH TAYLOR SHERIDAN BEFORE SURRENDERING TO HIT SHOW 'THE MADISON'

"Call of Duty" is also one of the most popular video game franchises ever built. THR reported that more than 500 million copies have been sold of the first-person shooter series.

It's not known at this time what the plot of the film will be, but hopefully, it follows the realistic games and not the futuristic and black ops storylines.

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Nobody wants to see a futurist war movie with Berg and Sheridan at the helm. Stick to the hits. Stick to what works.

Sheridan also has "Dutton Ranch" coming out in May on Paramount+ and several other major projects in the pipeline, including season three of "Lioness." Lots of great content on the way, and I have no doubt "Call of Duty" will meet expectations. Let me know your thoughts on the upcoming movie at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.

Iran threatens 'new cards' on battlefield as ceasefire wanes

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 08:00:04 -0400

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf threatened to "reveal new cards on the battlefield" in a Monday evening social media post just days before the agreed ceasefire between the United States and Iran is set to expire.

"Trump, by imposing a siege and violating the ceasefire, seeks to turn this negotiating table — in his own imagination — into a table of surrender or to justify renewed warmongering," Ghalibaf wrote on X.

"We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats, and in the past two weeks, we have prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield," he concluded.

Ghalibaf led the Iranian delegation in Islamabad during April 11 peace talks with a U.S. delegation led by Vice President JD Vance. That meeting happened while a two-week ceasefire, mediated by Pakistan, was in effect. The ceasefire, announced on April 8, is set to expire on Wednesday.

WHY TRUMP FACES AN AGONIZING DECISION ON OBLITERATING IRAN’S OIL SUPPLY IF HE CAN’T GET A DEAL

Vance is now expected to land in Pakistan again Tuesday to lead a second round of talks ahead of the deadline, according to PBS.

While Vance will hope to reach a long-term peace deal, Iran has signaled intransigence. Ghalibaf's warning came two days after the Islamic Republic announced Saturday it was reimposing restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, reversing a previously announced decision to open the key waterway.

Trump announced the Strait was "COMPLETELY OPEN" in a Friday Truth Social post, but insisted that the maritime blockade would continue "until there is a 'DEAL.'

IRAN'S LEADER THREATENS 'EVEN BIGGER BLOW' AGAINST US, TRUMP SAYS HE'S IN ‘NO RUSH’ TO TALK

The next day, Iran's joint military command said that "control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state... under strict management and control of the armed forces," adding that the restrictions would remain as long as the U.S. blockade did.

Iranian leadership has gone as far as to declare they won't participate in the Islamabad peace talks with the U.S., Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Monday.

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"If the U.S. sends a team to Islamabad, that is a matter that concerns them," Baqaei said in a press conference.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran does not accept any deadlines or ultimatums to safeguard its national interests. We have clearly stated our red lines from the beginning, and we will not change our principled positions," he added.

Lawyer for American detained in Iran says hostage deal is 'easiest problem on the table' for both sides

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 18:51:34 -0400

The matter of American hostages wrongfully detained in Iran could be resolved during negotiations between Tehran and Washington as both sides navigate a fragile ceasefire amid attempts to end the conflict, one expert said.

Ryan Fayhee, a lawyer for Abdolreza "Reza" Valizadeh, 49, who has been detained by Iran for more than a year, stressed the urgency of a diplomatic solution to secure his client's release as pressure on Iran remains high during the war against the United States and Israel.

"It is my job as Reza's lawyer to make sure that it doesn't get lost," Fayhee told Fox News Digital. "While I have high confidence that this is part of the negotiations, even though the administration hasn't stated so publicly… it is officially my job to make sure it remains part of those conversations. And equally so — and this is the bigger challenge, because obviously, I don't have full control — it's my job to make sure Reza is safe and alive to allow for those negotiations to take place that ideally will secure his release."

Iran is currently holding six Americans, though only two have been publicly identified: Valizadeh and 61-year-old Kamran Hekmati. Both hold dual Iranian and American citizenship and were being held in Iran's notorious Evin Prison.

WHY TRUMP, IRAN SEEM LIGHT-YEARS APART ON ANY POSSIBLE DEAL TO END THE WAR

In recent days, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have issued warnings on social media for residents living near the prison to evacuate the area amid continuing airstrikes.

"Despite Reza and Kamran Hekmati both being American citizens, the Iranians don't recognize their American citizenship," Fayhee said. "For that reason, they don't receive traditional consular services. And even if they did, we don't have an embassy there."

In February, the State Department designated Iran a "State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention" for arbitrarily arresting Americans to use as bargaining chips in future negotiations.

"For decades, Iran has continued to cruelly detain innocent Americans, as well as citizens of other nations, to use as political leverage against other states," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at the time. "This abhorrent practice must end."

IRAN THREATENS TO END CEASEFIRE OVER HEZBOLLAH'S EXCLUSION FROM TRUCE DEAL

The designation adds extra layers of isolating tools, such as sanctions and travel restrictions, Fayhee noted.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the State Department and the White House, which has called on Iran to release every American being detained.

"President Trump has been clear that he wants every American wrongfully detained to be returned home safe and sound, and that there will be dire consequences for regimes who treat Americans as political pawns," a White House spokesperson told The Associated Press.

VANCE WARNS IRAN WILL 'FIND OUT' TRUMP IS 'NOT ONE TO MESS AROUND' IF CEASEFIRE DEAL FALLS APART

A second round of talks between Tehran and Washington has stalled as a clear path to a diplomatic resolution of the seven-week war remains uncertain. On Monday, President Donald Trump said he was under no pressure to make a deal with Iran, "although, it will all happen, relatively quickly!" he wrote on Truth Social.

Valizadeh was arrested in September 2024 during a visit to see family and was sentenced after being convicted of working with a "hostile government." As a journalist, he previously reported on the 2009 pro-democracy protests in Iran and the regime's heavy-handed response. As a result, he was exiled and began working for Radio Farda, the Iranian branch of the U.S. government-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

Securing a deal to free any Americans being held in Iran could prove difficult given Tehran's proclivity for deception, Roger Carstens, the former U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, previously told Fox News.

"Strangely, the Russians, the Chinese, the Taliban, and the Venezuelans — when you start getting into hostage discussions, they tell the truth, and they stick to what they promise. You can do a handshake deal with the Taliban, and they're going to follow through," Carstens said. "The Iranians? Absolutely not."

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However, Fayhee, who also served as the lawyer for Paul Rusesabagina — the hotelier portrayed in the 2004 film "Hotel Rwanda" — said he maintains hope for Valizadeh's release. He noted that Iran is increasingly isolated following its missile strikes on its Arab neighbors and the opposition it faces from Western powers.

"It is the easiest problem on the table to solve, and both sides should acknowledge that," Fayhee said. "Both sides should focus on it because clearly they're trying to build a relationship of trust in these negotiations, and this is the surest way to do that."

"The easiest thing Iran can do to show they're genuinely interested in backing themselves out of this corner is to release these Americans," he added. "It is low-hanging fruit."

Distress call captures tanker under fire, Iran shuts Hormuz trapping thousands of sailors

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 21:03:18 -0400

Hundreds of commercial tankers are stranded on both sides of the Strait of Hormuz after Iran shut the critical chokepoint on April 18, halting traffic and leaving crews trapped amid reports of gunfire and "traumatic experiences" on board.

The Strait of Hormuz is considered an international waterway under international law, through which ships have the right of transit passage, according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, making it a critical chokepoint for global energy markets, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The U.K. Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said Iranian gunboats opened fire on a tanker the same day, while a projectile struck a container vessel, damaging cargo.

STARMER AND MACRON ACCUSED OF ‘PLAYING AT BEING RELEVANT’ WITH STRAIT OF HORMUZ PLAN

Audio released by maritime monitoring group TankerTrackers appears to capture the moment a vessel and its crew came under fire while approaching the strait, including a distress call from a crew member.

"Sepah Navy! Motor tanker Sanmar Herald! You gave me clearance to go… you are firing now. Let me turn back!" the crew member can be heard saying in the recording, according to TankerTrackers.

Iranian state media confirmed that shots were fired near vessels to force them to turn back, while the Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India said the foreign secretary was deeply concerned.

Hapag-Lloyd, the world’s fifth-largest container shipping line, told Fox News Digital that it had activated a crisis team as its crews remain stuck on board vessels in the region.

"We have been working from Friday afternoon until today with the entire crisis team to bring the vessels out — in vain, unfortunately," said Nils Haupt, senior director of group communications at Hapag-Lloyd AG.

"These events can easily lead to traumatic experiences. There is also a significant risk from sea mines, which has made insuring vessels for passage through the Strait nearly impossible."

LISA DAFTARI: HORMUZ WHIPLASH PROVES TEHRAN CAN'T HONOR ANY DEAL IT SIGNS

"The crews are well, but they are becoming increasingly impatient and frustrated. It is very unfortunate that we could not leave today," he added. "Many ships are still stuck in the Persian Gulf."

"Our six ships are anchored near the port of Dubai, and all crews hope for an improvement in the situation," Haupt said.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on April 18 that the strait would remain closed until the U.S. lifts its blockade on Iranian ports, warning ships not to move from anchorage or risk being treated as "enemy" collaborators.

Iran has previously argued that restrictions on its oil exports and shipping amount to "economic warfare," framing actions in the Strait of Hormuz as a response to foreign pressure on its economy, according to statements from Iranian officials and state media in past incidents.

"Approaching the Strait of Hormuz will be considered cooperation with the enemy, and any violating vessel will be targeted," the IRGC said in a statement carried by the semi-official Tasnim News Agency.

TRUMP ORDERS A BLOCKADE IN THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ AS TENSIONS WITH IRAN SOAR

The United States imposed the blockade on Iranian ports to pressure Tehran to reopen the strait, with U.S. Central Command saying the measures are being enforced "impartially against all vessels."

Hapag-Lloyd said its vessels have been stuck for weeks following the initial closure after the outbreak of war with Iran on Feb. 28.

"For us, it is critical that our vessels can pass through the strait soon," Haupt said.

"We offer all crew members unlimited data so they can video call loved ones and access entertainment. Crews are strong, but after weeks on board there is growing monotony and frustration."

"One crew experienced a fire on board from bomb fragments. Others have seen missiles or drones near their vessels," he added.

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"They are resilient, but each additional day makes the situation more difficult, more monotonous, and more stressful."

President Donald Trump said Iran had agreed not to close the strait again but after the closure, Trump called the situation "blackmail" and said the U.S. would not back down.

LISA DAFTARI: Hormuz whiplash proves Tehran can't honor any deal it signs

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 18:42:06 -0400

Iran’s regime just told us everything we need to know.

Within days, Tehran went from signaling that the Strait of Hormuz would remain open to threatening to close it. That reversal is a reminder that the regime cannot be trusted to uphold any deal it signs because its strategy depends on constant threats and keeping the world off balance.

The issue isn’t what they say. It’s who’s really in charge.

Iran’s regime does not operate as a normal state. Its leaders often signal calm to ease pressure or buy time. But the real authority sits with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The IRGC controls the missiles, the proxy networks, and the ability to disrupt global shipping. When it matters, they decide.

PAKISTANI GENERAL SAYS IRAN DIPLOMACY STILL 'ALIVE, DESPITE US BLOCKADE, FAILED TALKS

And they benefit from instability.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the regime’s most effective tools of coercion. A fifth of the world’s oil flows through it. Iran doesn’t need to shut it down to create a crisis. It just needs to make the threat believable. Even talk of disruption can rattle markets and drive up energy prices.

That’s exactly what we’re seeing now. Tehran signals restraint, then pivots back to escalation. It’s not meant to sow confusion. It’s meant to gain leverage.

STEVE FORBES: NO MORE DELUSIONS — AMERICA HAS TO FINISH THE JOB IN IRAN

This creates a serious problem for anyone still hoping a new agreement with Iran’s regime will bring lasting stability.

Deals rely on consistency. The Iranian system is built for the opposite.

For years, U.S. and European officials have negotiated as if Iran’s commitments on paper would translate into predictable behavior. But the regime’s most powerful actors are not invested in keeping those commitments. This regime was not designed to be constrained, reformed or tamed. The IRGC’s influence depends on sanctions evasion, regional militias, and the constant threat of escalation.

MORNING GLORY: THE US-IRAN NEGOTIATIONS IN ISLAMABAD BECAME REYKJAVÍK 2.0

If Washington’s imperative is "no nukes for Tehran," then it must recognize that this regime was built not only to chase deadly weapons but to use every tool as power in its dangerous agenda.

The shift on Hormuz makes that reality clear. When forced to choose between appearing cooperative and maintaining leverage, the regime chooses leverage.

That has direct consequences for U.S. policy.

ROBERT MAGINNIS: WHY ISLAMABAD TALKS WERE ALWAYS DOOMED TO FAIL

Washington cannot afford to treat diplomacy as an end in itself. An agreement that is not backed by real enforcement, credible military deterrence and a clear understanding of who holds power in Tehran will not hold. It will be tested, stretched and eventually broken when the regime decides it can get away with it.

A regime that turns a vital energy choke point into a pressure tool is not a responsible partner. It is the opposite. The back‑and‑forth over Hormuz is a hard reminder that Tehran’s core strategy is leverage through threat, not cooperation.

As long as that is how the system is wired, any agreement with this regime will be inherently unstable. Why let the regime decide what the next about-face will be?

That should also tell us where U.S. policy needs to go. Washington has to stop pretending this regime can be "managed" with better communiqués and slightly tougher clauses. The problem is not the wording of the deal. The problem is the nature of the regime that signs it. And regardless of how many of their high-ranking leaders have been killed, it is still the same regime.

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So negotiations should not be treated as a path to stabilizing this leadership, but as a temporary tool while we tighten pressure for its eventual replacement. Any new deal with the current rulers in Tehran will follow the same script of brief restraint when it suits them, followed by another round of "diplomacy" the moment they need leverage. A serious strategy would focus on weakening the regime’s grip at home, targeting its security apparatus and economic lifelines, and openly backing the Iranian people who keep risking their lives to challenge it.

The fight over Hormuz is a reminder of how this regime will treat every agreement it signs, right up until the day it is finally gone.

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Trump predicted Israel-Lebanon leaders would speak ‘tomorrow’ — Beirut shut it down as ceasefire emerges

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:15:25 -0400

President Donald Trump announced Thursday that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire beginning at 5 p.m. Eastern Time, in what he described as a major step toward ending weeks of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

Trump said he had spoken separately with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and that both sides had agreed to begin formal talks aimed at reaching a broader peace agreement.

"I just had excellent conversations with the Highly Respected President Joseph Aoun, of Lebanon, and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel," Trump wrote on Truth Social Thursday.

Trump said he has directed Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan "Razin'" Caine to work with both sides to achieve what he called a "lasting peace."

IDF UNCOVERS HEZBOLLAH WEAPONS STASH INSIDE HOSPITAL IN LEBANON

The president later said he plans to invite Netanyahu and Aoun to the White House for what he described as the first meaningful talks between Israel and Lebanon since 1983.

"Both sides want to see PEACE, and I believe that will happen, quickly!" Trump wrote.

The announcement came after days of intense U.S. diplomacy and appeared to resolve an earlier dispute over whether Aoun would speak directly with Netanyahu.

"We are trying to create a little breathing room," Trump wrote on Truth Social Wednesday, adding that the leaders of Israel and Lebanon had not spoken in some 34 years and saying, "It will happen tomorrow."

Earlier Thursday, Lebanese officials had insisted that Aoun would not speak directly with Netanyahu before a ceasefire was reached.

Three Lebanese officials told Reuters that Aoun had no plans to speak with Netanyahu in the near future, and two of the officials said Lebanon's embassy in Washington conveyed that position to the Trump administration before Aoun held a phone call with Rubio.

A senior Lebanese official later told Fox News Digital that there was intense domestic pressure inside Lebanon against further contacts with Israel while the fighting continued.

According to the official, many in Lebanon believed the government had already entered negotiations without receiving anything in return, making a ceasefire a prerequisite for any direct contact.

But shortly afterward, Lebanon's presidency announced that Aoun had spoken directly with Trump.

According to the Lebanese presidency's official X account, Aoun thanked Trump for his efforts to secure a ceasefire in Lebanon and achieve what it described as a lasting peace and stability that could pave the way for a broader regional peace process.

Aoun, who served as commander of Lebanon's U.S.-backed armed forces before becoming president in 2025, said an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon would be a necessary first step before Lebanese troops could fully deploy to the border region.

The diplomatic dispute comes as the White House presses for a broader deal to end the regional war that erupted after Iran-backed Hezbollah terror group entered the conflict March 2 in support of Iran.

Hezbollah's intervention opened a new front in Lebanon just 15 months after the last major Israel-Hezbollah war.

Pakistan, which helped mediate the April 8 ceasefire between Israel and Iran, said ending the fighting in Lebanon is essential to preserving that agreement.

ISRAEL WARNS HEZBOLLAH ‘PLAYING WITH FIRE,’ PRESSES LEBANON TO ACT ON WEAPONS PLEDGE

"Peace in Lebanon is essential for peace talks," Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi said.

The Israeli security cabinet met late Wednesday to discuss a possible ceasefire in Lebanon, according to Israeli media.

Israeli officials have signaled openness to negotiations, but they are also insisting on continuing military operations until Hezbollah is pushed away from the border.

Israeli cabinet minister Gila Gamliel told Israeli media that Netanyahu had been expected to speak with Aoun "for the first time after so many years of no contact between the two countries."

Israel and Lebanon remain formally at war and have had no direct leader-to-leader contact in decades.

The latest U.S. diplomatic push follows a rare meeting Tuesday in Washington between Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad and Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter.

Those talks, held at the State Department under U.S. mediation, marked the first face-to-face discussions between senior Israeli and Lebanese officials in more than three decades.

Still, the prospect of a direct call between Netanyahu and Aoun has run into strong opposition inside Lebanon.

Hezbollah, which has opposed any contact with Israel, remains publicly against negotiations.

At the same time, Lebanon's government has increasingly distanced itself from Hezbollah since the terror group entered the war.

The Lebanese government formally banned Hezbollah's military activities March 2 and has spent the past year trying to disarm the Iranian-backed group without triggering a broader civil conflict.

Meanwhile, fighting intensified Thursday in southern Lebanon.

IRAN THREATENS TO END CEASEFIRE OVER HEZBOLLAH'S EXCLUSION FROM TRUCE DEAL

Battles continued around the border town of Bint Jbeil, Lebanon, a longtime stronghold of Hezbollah — an Iran-backed terror group — that Israeli officials see as a key objective in the current offensive.

Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israeli forces were close to "overcoming" Hezbollah in Bint Jbeil.

The Israeli military's immediate objective is to push Hezbollah farther from the border and prevent anti-tank missiles and other direct-fire weapons from threatening northern Israeli communities, Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani said in an interview with Fox News Digital.

He said Israeli troops are now holding what the military calls "defense lines" several kilometers inside Lebanon, positions designed to keep Hezbollah gunmen and anti-tank squads from once again overlooking Israeli towns.

"We're going to make sure we keep diminishing them," Shoshani said.

Lebanese security officials also said an Israeli airstrike destroyed the last remaining bridge over the Litani River leading into southern Lebanon.

The strike effectively cut off nearly a tenth of the country from the rest of Lebanon after earlier Israeli attacks destroyed other crossings.

HEZBOLLAH, IRAN UNLEASH COORDINATED CLUSTER BOMB STRIKES ON ISRAEL IN MAJOR ESCALATION

Israel has vowed to turn the area south of the Litani River into a "no-go zone" for Hezbollah.

Israeli military chief of staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said Wednesday that Hezbollah operatives would no longer be allowed to operate south of the river.

The Litani River, which runs roughly 20 miles north of Israel's border, has long been viewed by Israel as the line beyond which Hezbollah forces should not be allowed to operate.

Hezbollah responded Thursday with fresh rocket fire into northern Israel.

Warning sirens sounded in several Israeli communities, sending residents into bomb shelters. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

More than 2,100 people have been killed in Lebanon since March 2 and more than 1.2 million have been displaced, according to Lebanese authorities.

Israeli officials say Hezbollah attacks have killed two Israeli civilians and 13 Israeli soldiers during the same period.

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Fox News Digital reached out to the State Department, Lebanon's embassy in Washington and the Israeli government for comment, but did not receive responses in time for publication.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Iran to execute first female protester tied to anti-regime unrest

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 21:53:40 -0400

Iran is set to execute its first female protester tied to the January 2026 uprising in Tehran, according to multiple human rights organizations.

Bita Hemmati was named in a collective death sentencing alongside three other defendants, including her husband, Mohammadreza Majid-Asl, 34, according to the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).

The couple’s reported neighbors, Behrouz Zamaninejad and Kourosh Zamaninejad, were also sentenced to death, while a relative, Amir Hemmati, received five years in prison.

The verdicts mark some of the most recent capital punishment decisions amid the government’s broader crackdown on suppressing unrest. Possibly thousands of protesters have reportedly been killed since demonstrations erupted this year.

TRUMP DETAILS SWEEPING 'ALL OR NOTHING' BLOCKADE OF STRAIT OF HORMUZ AFTER FAILED IRAN TALKS

"Mohammadreza Majidi-Asl and Bita Hemmati are a couple living in Tehran, and Amir Hemmati is a relative of the two," a source told HRANA. "Kourosh Zamaninejad and Behrouz Zamaninejad were living in the same residential building, and their arrests took place simultaneously."

No execution date has yet been given.

The Tehran Revolutionary Court reportedly accused the defendants of multiple offenses, including national security disruption in connection with the "hostile government of the United States," according to HRANA.

On Jan. 8 and 9, the defendants allegedly used explosives and weapons, threw objects such as concrete blocks and incendiary materials from rooftops, injured security forces, and engaged in "propaganda against the regime" in an effort to undermine security, according to federal authorities.

IRAN THREATENS TO HALT RED SEA TRAFFIC IN RESPONSE TO US MILITARY BLOCKADE OF PORTS

Alongside the capital punishment verdicts, the court also issued five years of discretionary imprisonment and ordered the seizure of their personal assets.

Officials added that the fifth associate, Amir Hemmati, was specifically convicted of "assembly and collusion against national security" and "propaganda against the regime," the groups said.

Human rights activists further raised concerns that the defendants’ confessions may have been coerced, citing allegations of torture and interrogation.

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The organizations, which are urging a halt to the executions, also claimed a lack of specific evidence linking the accused to the alleged crimes, and argued that Tehran is seeking to intimidate the public in order to prevent future civilian unrest.

Widespread protests first erupted in late December 2025 in Tehran amid an economic crisis marked by a collapsing currency and soaring inflation. Tensions then quickly escalated into broader anti-government unrest that spread across multiple cities.

Washington officially joined the conflict with the launch of Operation Epic Fury on Feb. 28, 2026, when it conducted massive joint airstrikes with Israel that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Israeli strike on Hezbollah more devastating than 2024 pager attack, IDF says

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:00:59 -0400

Hezbollah, an Iran-backed terrorist group, saw its command structure across Lebanon come under what Israeli officials described as one of the most devastating blows of the war April 8.

Nearly simultaneously, explosions tore through Beirut, Lebanon, the Beqaa Valley and southern Lebanon as roughly 50 Israeli aircraft struck more than 100 Hezbollah targets.

The targets were not rocket launchers or weapons depots, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), but the nerve centers of the organization — command rooms, intelligence headquarters and offices where Hezbollah commanders planned the next stage of the fight.

BROTHER OF MICHIGAN SYNAGOGUE ATTACKER WAS HEZBOLLAH TERRORIST, ISRAEL ALLEGES

The strike marked a new phase in the war between Israel and Hezbollah, which erupted March 2 after Hezbollah entered the conflict in support of Iran, one day after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Since then, Hezbollah has fired rockets, drones and anti-tank missiles into northern Israel, while Israel has responded with widening airstrikes and a ground offensive inside southern Lebanon.

"Within only a minute, the IDF eliminated 250 Hezbollah terrorists in three areas simultaneously," the Israeli military said in a statement, adding the assessment is still ongoing.

Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, an IDF spokesman, told Fox News Digital the strike was the result of weeks of intelligence work.

Israeli intelligence agencies tracked Hezbollah operatives as they moved between apartments, offices and safe houses across Lebanon.

"The timing had to do with the preparations," Shoshani said. "There was weeks of amazing intelligence."

Asked whether the operation showed Israel still has deep penetration inside Hezbollah despite months of war, Shoshani pointed to the scale of the attack.

"The fact that we were able to find 250 terrorists hiding in different locations in Lebanon, many of them in locations for recent weeks, eliminating them in real time, I think the capabilities speak for themselves," he said.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned Wednesday's strikes.

"The scale of the killing and destruction in Lebanon today is nothing short of horrific," said United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Türk. "Such carnage, within hours of agreeing to a ceasefire with Iran, defies belief."

"This response will continue until the Israeli-American aggression against our country and our people ceases," Hezbollah said in a statement.

IDF UNCOVERS HEZBOLLAH WEAPONS STASH INSIDE HOSPITAL IN LEBANON

The strike drew a comparison to the "beeper" operation in September 2024, when thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah operatives exploded almost simultaneously across Lebanon and Syria in an operation widely attributed to Israel.

The blasts killed more than 40 people and wounded roughly 4,000, according to Lebanese authorities, while Hezbollah later acknowledged that about 1,500 fighters were taken out of action. The operation shattered Hezbollah's communications network and became the benchmark in Israel for a strike that fundamentally changed the battlefield.

"The beeper had more … effective injuries. That was the purpose of it," Shoshani said. "But both targeted hundreds of terrorists and within 60 seconds."

Like the beeper operation, he said, the April 8 strike was intended not just to kill operatives but to throw Hezbollah into disarray.

"It was important to the aspect of creating disarray, of breaking their chain of command, breaking their command and patrol capabilities and kind of tilting the organization out of balance," he said.

A former Israeli intelligence official, speaking on background, said the strike may not have reached the level of the beeper operation, but it appeared to hit an unusually broad layer of Hezbollah's middle ranks.

Hezbollah remains in shock from the blow, according to the former official, even if that has not yet been reflected in a drop in its rocket fire.

But he cautioned against judging the operation only by the number of people killed.

The real measure, he said, is whether the strike changes the course of the war and leaves Hezbollah less able to operate.

The IDF said many of those killed belonged to Hezbollah's Radwan Force, Hezbollah's most capable and best-trained combat unit, intelligence apparatus, missile units and aerial Unit 127.

The Israeli military said most of the targets were embedded inside civilian areas.

"Most of the infrastructure that was struck was located within the heart of the civilian population," the IDF said.

HEZBOLLAH, IRAN UNLEASH COORDINATED CLUSTER BOMB STRIKES ON ISRAEL IN MAJOR ESCALATION

Shoshani said Israel warned civilians to evacuate before the strikes, but Hezbollah moved its operatives into new civilian locations.

"When we gave the warnings for areas, civilians moved out, then Hezbollah saw that they moved out and started hiding behind civilians in new locations," he said.

Despite the blow, Israeli officials say Hezbollah remains a major threat. Shoshani said the group, which before the war possessed between 150,000 and 200,000 rockets and missiles, still has the ability to fire into Israel.

"They still are a real threat for our civilians," he said.

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The strike comes as Israel and Lebanon opened their first direct talks in more than three decades at the U.S. State Department in Washington.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has signaled willingness to discuss normalization and the eventual disarmament of Hezbollah, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted there will be no ceasefire until Hezbollah is dismantled and pushed back from the border.

Within hours of the diplomatic opening, Israeli warplanes again struck Lebanon and Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Trump voices frustration with NATO, says Iranian navy ‘destroyed’ as US preps for blockade

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 22:18:22 -0400

President Donald Trump addressed several pressing international conflicts after stepping off Air Force One in Maryland on Sunday, declaring that Iranian naval forces had been destroyed ahead of a planned energy blockade and expressing sharp disapproval of NATO for its perceived lack of support.

"Their military is destroyed," Trump said. "Their whole Navy is underwater. You know that 158 ships are gone. Their navy is gone. Most of their mine droppers are gone."

"At 10 tomorrow, we have a blockade going into effect," Trump added. "Other nations are working so that Iran will not be able to sell oil."

Trump further underscored the United States’ energy independence, asserting that international vessels are bypassing traditional routes in favor of purchasing American oil.

TRUMP, RUBIO FACE NATO CHIEF AS U.S. MOVES TO "REEXAMINE" ALLIANCE AFTER IRAN CLASH

"There are many boats heading toward our country to fill up with oil and then go and take it," he said.

The president then expressed sharp disapproval of NATO countries, indicating that America's financial commitment to support the alliance, particularly against Russia, is going to be under "very serious examination."

"But I'm very disappointed in NATO," he said. "They weren't there for us. We pay trillions of dollars for NATO, and they weren't there for us."

While NATO countries are now stepping up to assist the U.S., Trump described the effort as too late.

"Now they want to come up, but there's no real threat anymore," he said.

"When you think of it, we're guarding against Russia," he added. "And I've long thought it was a little ridiculous, but we spent trillions of dollars doing it. And I think that's going to be under very serious examination."

TRUMP PRESSES NATO PARTNERS ON SUPPORT AS HEGSETH BLASTS HESITATION

Trump has repeatedly threatened to withdraw the United States from NATO, accusing the alliance of providing limited assistance during the Iran offensive, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, and refusing to offer naval support to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

"You'll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won't be there to help you anymore, just like you weren't there for us," he said to the alliance in a Truth Social post on March 31.

Trump's recent remarks also followed a meeting last week with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House, where the president again criticized the alliance for what he described as a failure to adequately support the American people.

"It's quite sad that NATO turned their backs on the American people over the course of the last six weeks when it's the American people who have been funding their defense," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt previously said, referring to the meeting.

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Among the European countries accused of withholding support amid escalating tensions, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez reportedly shut down Spanish airspace to aircraft participating in strikes against Iran, including U.S. bombers, and denied Washington access to military bases located within the country.

In France, President Emmanuel Macron blocked Israeli aircraft from traversing French airspace to transport U.S.-made munitions intended for the conflict with Iran.

Meanwhile, Finnish President Alexander Stubb told Trump during a phone call that a "more European NATO" is beginning to take shape, signaling a potential shift in the alliance’s strategic direction.

Fox News Digital's Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.