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Trump leaves China with breakthroughs — and unfinished business on Xi’s biggest fights

Fri, 15 May 2026 14:17:09 -0400

President Donald Trump returned from his high-stakes summit in China with President Xi Jinping touting trade progress and warmer ties, but several of the biggest pressure points in the U.S.-China relationship — from trade and Taiwan, to AI and human rights — appeared to end without firm public breakthroughs.

"We had a great stay. It was an amazing period of time. President Xi’s an incredible guy. We’ve made a lot of great trade deals," Trump said Friday aboard Air Force One while returning to the White House.

The trip gave Trump several economic talking points, including potential Chinese purchases of Boeing aircraft, U.S. soybeans and American energy, but public readouts and Trump's recent remarks show some major questions went unresolved.

WHAT XI WANTS FROM TRUMP AS BEIJING SEEKS LEVERAGE IN HIGH-STAKES SUMMIT

Taiwan

During the summit, Xi warned that mishandling the Taiwan issue could lead to "clashes and even conflicts" between the two countries.

Trump said "he heard [Xi] out" on Taiwan, adding, "He does not want to see a fight for independence because that would be a very strong confrontation."

There was no pledge from Beijing to reduce military pressure or any visible easing of the core Taiwan dispute.

TRUMP WARNS TAIWAN NOT TO EXPECT BLANK CHECK FROM US MILITARY AFTER INTENSE XI SUMMIT

Lawmakers have pressed Trump over Taiwan’s security and U.S. arms sales to the island, though Washington does not formally recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state and maintains a longstanding "One China" policy.

"We’ve had it for thousands of years. And then, at a certain period of time, they left that they were going to get it back. They had the Korean War. A lot of things happened and all this. But no, yeah — Taiwan, he feels very strongly. I made no commitment either way," Trump said, referring to Xi’s view of Taiwan and Beijing’s historical claim to the island.

A White House official said Trump is expected to decide soon whether to move forward with a new Taiwan arms package, pointing to his December 2025 approval of $11.1 billion in arms sales to Taiwan and arguing that his record remains consistent with decades of U.S. policy.

The official also noted that Trump approved more Taiwan arms sales during his first term than any previous president, and said his first-year total in the second term exceeded the full amount approved during former President Biden’s four years in office.

TRUMP SPEAKS WITH CHINESE PRESIDENT XI, WHITE HOUSE OFFICIAL CONFIRMS

Human Rights

The cases of jailed Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai and detained house-church pastor Ezra Jin loomed over the summit, with Trump saying Xi is "giving very serious consideration" to releasing Pastor Jin, though Lai’s future may be less certain.

"That’s a tougher one. I did bring it up. It’s a tough one for him. It’s a tough one," Trump said. "He said Jimmy Lai is a tough one for him to do. You know, he went through a lot — right and wrong, he went through a lot. So he told me that would be a tough one. He said he’s going to strongly consider the pastor."

Jin, also known as Ezra Jin Mingri, is a Chinese house church pastor whose family and advocates have urged Washington to press Beijing for his release. Lai is a British citizen, Hong Kong media tycoon and pro-democracy activist who has been jailed under Hong Kong’s national security law.

The two are often linked in coverage focused on human rights, freedom of the press, and China’s crackdown on dissent.

Neither case appeared to produce a public release commitment before Trump departed Beijing.

Lai’s daughter, Claire, commended Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for their "continuous commitment to freeing my father and securing his freedom" during an appearance on "The Brian Kilmeade Show" Friday.

"Of course, the dream was that he would fly back with my father this time, but I am still extremely confident that he is the president and this is the administration that will secure my father’s freedom," Lai said.

AI and Tech Race

China’s AI advances remain a major concern for U.S. policymakers and technology leaders as Washington weighs how to preserve its edge in advanced chips, computing power and export controls without accelerating Beijing’s push to build domestic alternatives.

DONALD TRUMP DETAILS 'MOST EXCITING PART' OF CHINA TRADE AGREEMENT

Trump said on Air Force One that discussions about chips did not come up.

U.S. officials said China continues to weigh whether to buy advanced U.S. chips or accelerate domestic alternatives, while Trump said the two sides discussed the possibility of AI guardrails.

TRUMP REVERSES COURSE ON MIDDLE EAST TECH POLICY, BUT WILL IT BE ENOUGH TO COUNTER CHINA?

"As to whether the Chinese are going to buy [U.S. chips] or not, they’re making their own determinations," U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Friday on Bloomberg TV.

"They’re very committed to domestic production. They often see U.S. high tech as a threat to them. If we’re ahead of the game on AI chips, sometimes they feel that can stop their own growth," he added.

Trump said China may "want to try and develop their own" chips.

TRUMP ANNOUNCES CHINA WILL RESTART RARE EARTH MINERAL SHIPMENTS TO US AFTER PRODUCTIVE CALL

Trade and tariffs

At the final meeting between the two leaders, Trump touted what he called "fantastic trade deals" during the summit.

Trump said China agreed to purchase 200 Boeing planes and expressed interest in buying as many as 750 once the first deliveries are completed.

While few details have been released regarding the specific agreements reached, Trump also said agricultural deals were pledged while at the same time stating tariffs were not discussed.

"The farmers are going to be very happy. They’re going to be buying billions of dollars of soybeans," Trump said.

The president added during a gaggle on Air Force One during his trip home that he and Xi did not discuss tariffs during the meetings, even though such duties have served as one of Trump’s central tools for pressuring Beijing on trade.

TRUMP PUSHES XI ON TRADE AFTER SUPREME COURT RULING DENTS KEY CHINA PRESSURE TOOL

"We didn't discuss tariffs - I mean they're paying tariffs. They're paying substantial tariffs," he said at one point.

The talks come as Trump’s tariff agenda faced a setback after a Supreme Court ruling limited his use of emergency powers to impose duties, which cut directly into one of his preferred tools for pressuring Beijing.

Trump also suggested an energy deal was close, saying China could begin buying oil from Texas, Louisiana and Alaska.

"They’re going to go to Texas. We’re going to start sending Chinese ships to Texas and to Louisiana and to Alaska. And I think that was another thing that was agreed to. That’s a big thing," Trump said.

Iran was an area where Trump could point to a clearer diplomatic win, saying Xi told him China would not provide military equipment to Tehran and that both leaders agreed Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon.

But broader concerns remain over Beijing’s economic support for Iran through oil purchases, dual-use exports and intermediary networks.

China remains a major buyer of Iranian crude despite U.S. sanctions.

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Trump said that Xi and his wife will visit the U.S. in September.

FBI brings Iraqi man accused of coordinating nearly 20 terror attacks in Europe to face trial in New York

Fri, 15 May 2026 13:58:08 -0400

An Iraqi man accused of orchestrating nearly 20 terrorist attacks across Europe and plotting attacks on Jewish institutions in the United States has been brought to New York to face federal terrorism charges after what the FBI described as a major international operation.

Since early March, Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi and his associates allegedly planned and coordinated 18 attacks in the name of Ashab al-Yamin, a pro-Iranian Islamist group that has taken credit for attacks against Jewish schools, synagogues and charities in Europe, as well as American, Israeli and Iranian opposition targets, according to the FBI.

"The FBI’s successful FTOC (foreign transfer of custody) of Mohammad Al-Saadi, another high-value target responsible for mass global terrorism, is just the latest success in this administration’s historic work to bring terrorists to justice," FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement. "This was a righteous mission executed brilliantly by our agents, investigators, CIRG tactical units, and interagency partners who delivered yet again."

RECORD ANTISEMITIC INCIDENTS IN CANADA FUEL CRITICISM OF CARNEY GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

"We are greatly appreciative of the work of our allies around the world — especially Ambassador Tom Barrack, who led this joint sequenced operation and has been instrumental in bringing this successful mission home to the United States," he added.

On March 9, Al-Saadi allegedly posted a message on his Telegram account with the logo of Ashab al-Yamin, calling on warriors of Islam to engage in jihad, the FBI said.

FEDERAL PROBE CLAIMS UNIVERSITIES ARE 'LEGITIMIZING AND AMPLIFYING ANTISEMITISM'

Al-Saadi has posted Ashab al-Yamin-branded propaganda videos claiming responsibility for the attacks, including video recordings from attacks against Jewish places or persons in Belgium, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, according to federal prosecutors.

The FBI said it took action after learning that Al-Saadi was planning to expand Ashab al-Yamin’s operations to the United States. He allegedly directed other individuals in an attempt to coordinate terrorist attacks in the United States against synagogues and other Jewish institutions across the country.

Al-Saadi has also allegedly publicly threatened President Donald Trump and his family, authorities said.

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He was expected to appear in a New York federal courtroom on Friday on six terrorism charges, including six terrorism charges in New York, including conspiring to provide material support to terrorist groups.

Key China-Iran infrastructure exposes critical hole in Trump's war strategy

Fri, 15 May 2026 08:56:51 -0400

The U.S. is trying to choke off Iran’s economy at sea, but a growing China-linked rail corridor is giving Tehran a workaround that Washington cannot easily shut down without risking a wider conflict.

As freight traffic between China and Iran increases along an overland route beyond the reach of American warships, the dynamic is exposing a core limitation in the U.S. strategy: maritime pressure is powerful, but it doesn’t fully extend across Eurasia.

According to Bloomberg, cargo trains running from central China to Iran have jumped from roughly one per week before the blockade to one every three or four days, highlighting a growing alternative channel as Tehran looks to blunt maritime pressure.

The corridor runs through multiple sovereign countries, including Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, making it far more complex to disrupt than shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf.

CHINA-LINKED ROUTE EXPOSED AFTER US SEIZES IRAN-BOUND SHIP WITH SUSPECTED DUAL-USE CARGO

Directly targeting that overland network would risk widening the conflict and escalating tensions with Beijing, which has spent years investing in trade routes designed to bypass maritime choke points dominated by the U.S. Navy.

That combination of geography, diplomacy and escalation risk helps explain why Washington has focused overwhelmingly on maritime interdiction rather than attempting to shut down overland trade routes.

Experts say the rail corridor remains limited in its ability to offset Iran’s main oil exports.

"There’s no substitute for a very large crude carrier," Isaac Kardon, a senior fellow focused on Chinese strategy and maritime security, told Fox News Digital.

Kardon estimated that "maybe like 1% of the exports that Iran would typically be pushing out through Hormuz could go over land."

Max Meizlish, a former Treasury official focused on sanctions policy, similarly described the rail corridor as "a drop in the bucket compared to Iran’s traditional oil exports over maritime transit routes."

TRUMP WARNS CHINA OF 'STAGGERING' 50% TARIFF IF CAUGHT SUPPLYING MILITARY AID TO IRAN

Still, analysts warn the route carries strategic risks beyond its limited scale.

Meizlish said the rail network "provides a pathway for China to supply Iran with critical dual use goods or just military logistical infrastructure" beyond the reach of U.S. naval enforcement.

Kardon pointed to similar concerns, including the potential movement of "parts for drones" and "missile precursor chemicals."

Even so, Kardon emphasized the corridor cannot sustain large-scale economic or military flows.

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"It’s a flow question," he said. "Can you sustain the Iranian war-fighting effort solely with cargoes from China or from its other Eurasian neighbors? And I think the answer is really no."

Taken together, the rail corridor is not an economic lifeline for Iran, but it underscores a broader shift as China builds trade networks designed to blunt U.S. pressure at sea and test the limits of how far Washington is willing to go to enforce its strategy.

The White House and the Pentagon did not respond to requests for comment.

Trump wraps widely-watched trip to China, departing on Air Force One after high-stakes Xi meeting

Fri, 15 May 2026 06:39:05 -0400

U.S. President Donald Trump has wrapped up his trip to China where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping this week.

This was Trump's first trip to China during his current term. He had previously visited China during his first administration.

The president spoke to the press aboard Air Force One, calling Xi "an incredible guy."

TRUMP SAYS CHINA'S XI JINPING OFFERED TO HELP END IRAN CONFLICT

Here's a list detailing some notable moments from Trump's trip abroad and some of what the U.S. president has said about it:

1. Taiwan flashpoint

During his remarks aboard the plane, Trump said Xi "feels very strongly" on the Taiwan issue, but noted, "I made no commitment either way."

"But, you know, I think the last thing we need right now is a war that's 9,500 miles away," Trump later opined.

Trump indicated that Xi asked him whether he'd defend Taiwan. "I said, I don't talk about that," the U.S. president noted.

2. Prisoners

TRUMP SAYS CHINA'S XI JINPING OFFERED TO HELP END IRAN CONFLICT

On the flight, Trump noted that Xi "told me that would be a tough one," regarding the possibility of releasing prisoner Jimmy Lai.

"He said he's gonna strongly consider the pastor," Trump said, apparently referring to imprisoned Pastor Ezra Jin.

3. Arrival Ceremony at Beijing Capital International Airport

At the start of the trip, China literally rolled out a red carpet for President Donald Trump's arrival at the Beijing Capital International Airport.

Chinese Vice President H.E. Han Zheng was among those who greeted Trump.

4. Ceremony at the Great Hall of the People

Trump and Xi appeared together outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

5. Trump Meeting with Xi

TRUMP REVEALS XI'S STANCE ON ARMING IRAN AS HORMUZ TENSIONS RATTLE MARKETS

Xi and Trump met for a bilateral meeting at the Great Hall.

Leaders from some of America's biggest businesses attended part of the meeting, according to a White House readout.

Trump's China visit came amid the ongoing U.S. conflict with Iran.

"On Iran, it's very interesting, he feels strongly they can't have a nuclear weapon," Trump said of Xi during the gaggle aboard Air Force One while flying back to the U.S.

6. State Banquet

While speaking at a banquet, Trump invited Xi and his wife to visit him at the White House later this year.

"And tonight it is my honor to extend an invitation to you and Madame Peng to visit us at the White House this September 24th, and we look forward to it," he said.

Trump added, "I'd now like to raise a glass and propose a toast to the rich and enduring ties between the American and Chinese people. It's a very special relationship," he said.

During his remarks on the way back to the U.S. aboard Air Force One, Trump indicated that the visit could take place September 24 or September 26.

Trump reveals Xi’s stance on arming Iran as Hormuz tensions rattle markets

Fri, 15 May 2026 00:08:57 -0400

President Donald Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping has said he will not provide military equipment to Iran, which has been a central focus of the high-stakes meeting marking a possible win for the Trump administration.

Xi "said he's not going to give military equipment. That's a big statement. He said that today. That's a big statement. (He) said that strongly," Trump said to Fox News host Sean Hannity Thursday.

The pledge comes as the Trump administration increasingly has cast China not just as an economic rival, but as a key enabler of adversarial regimes, with Beijing’s economic and material support for Iran emerging as a central focus of this week’s high-stakes talks with Xi.

U.S. officials have increasingly accused China of helping prop up Iran’s military and economic strength through oil purchases, dual-use exports and intermediary networks.

TRUMP TO CONFRONT XI AT HIGH-STAKES SUMMIT OVER CHINA BACKING FOR IRAN, RUSSIA

Trump added that Xi also offered to help end the conflict.

"He said, if I can be of any help at all, I would like to be of help," Trump said.

The White House and Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment on the matter.

"But at the same time, he said, you know, they buy a lot of their oil there, and they'd like to keep doing that. He'd like to see Hormuz Strait opened," said Trump. "I said, well, we didn't stop it. They did it."

TRUMP HEADS TO BEIJING FOR HIGH-STAKES XI TALKS AS TAIWAN TENSIONS, TRADE DISPUTES TEST US STRENGTH

China heavily relies on Iranian oil imports purchasing around $31 billion to $32 billion of Iranian crude annually, according to Reuters.

Beijing ordered firms to ignore U.S. sanctions targeting Iranian oil in May — a direct challenge to Washington’s crackdown.

China’s Commerce Ministry invoked a 2021 "blocking statute" ahead of the summit which bars companies from complying with "illegitimate" foreign sanctions. The order targets several Chinese refiners accused by the U.S. of buying Iranian crude, including large independent processors known as "teapot" refineries.

CHINA ORDERS FIRMS TO IGNORE US IRAN SANCTIONS, DARING US TO ENFORCE CRACKDOWN

"He didn't like the fact that they're charging tolls," said Trump. "I don't know if they are or not. I don't know who would pay him. I mean, where do they put the money to come to countries decimated, you know, they're charging tolls where's the money going," said Trump.

Trump said that he believes a deal will be reached with China buying oil from the U.S. by the end of the trip, prompting a spike in oil prices.

"They're going to go to Texas. We're going to start sending Chinese ships to Texas and to Louisiana and to Alaska. And I think that was another thing that was agreed to it. That's a big thing," said Trump.

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The two leaders held a bilateral tea meeting Friday morning local time in Beijing at the Zhongnanhai compound in their final meeting before Trump's return to the White House.

Fox News' Morgan Phillips and Greg Wehner contributed to this report.

Ex-counterterror chief Joe Kent says Trump was 'poised' to make better Iran deal than Obama-era JCPOA

Thu, 14 May 2026 18:23:57 -0400

Before the Iran war, President Donald Trump was "poised" to strike a "better deal" with the regime than the President Barack Obama-era Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent asserted in a Thursday post on X.

"Prior to letting the Israelis lead us into this war, President Trump was actually poised to cut a better deal than the JCPOA (aka the Obama Iran deal)," Kent wrote.

"The Iranians feared and respected Trump in a way they never respected Obama—he took out the terror mastermind Qasem Soleimani, yet was prudent enough not to get sucked into the quicksand of another Middle Eastern quagmire that would only favor Iran and strengthen its hardliners," he continued.

US INTEL COMMUNITY AGREED BEFORE WAR 'IRAN WASN'T DEVELOPING A NUCLEAR WEAPON': EX-COUNTERTERRORISM CHIEF

"That’s why, as soon as he returned to office in January 2025, the Iranians stopped their proxies from attacking us and were immediately open to negotiations," Kent added.

Kent, who quit the counterterrorism post in March due to his opposition to the Iran war, asserted in the Thursday post that Trump could "still correct course" on the issue.

"President Trump can still correct course, but he has to break the current stalemate cycle we are in: Get us out of the military standoff. Restrain the Israelis. Leverage the potential of sanctions relief to open the Strait of Hormuz and secure a new deal on the nuclear issue," he advised.

EX-COUNTERTERRORISM CHIEF SAYS TRUMP MUST RESTRAIN ISRAEL BEFORE HE CAN DECLARE VICTORY IN IRAN

In response to Fox News Digital's request for a comment from the White House on Thursday, spokesman Davis Ingle provided a statement slamming Kent.

"Joe Kent’s self-aggrandizing resignation letter and recent comments are riddled with lies. Most egregious are Kent’s false claims that the largest state sponsor of terrorism somehow did not pose a threat to the United States and that Israel forced the President into launching Operation Epic Fury. As Commander-in-Chief, President Trump took decisive action based on strong evidence which showed that the terrorist Iranian regime posed an imminent threat and was preparing to strike Americans first. President Trump’s number one priority has always been ensuring the safety and security of the American people," Ingle said in the statement.

While testifying at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Thursday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said that during the 30 months prior to when Operation Epic Fury began, "Iran and its proxies had been attacking U.S. service members and diplomats about 350 times ... about every third day."

But Kent asserted in a post on X, "Iran’s proxies attacked our troops & diplomats under Biden, NOT under this Trump admin prior to Epic Fury, hence the 30 months time frame. When Trump returned to office in January of 2025 those attacks stopped."

SHIP SEIZED NEAR STRAIT OF HORMUZ BY 'UNAUTHORIZED PERSONNEL,' BROUGHT TOWARD IRAN

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"Iran stoped [sic] its proxies from attacking us b/c they knew Trump would hit back & they wanted to reach a deal w/Trump. A deal was in the works, that deal would have thwarted Israel’s goal of getting us committed to a war against Iran, so Israel did everything they could to get us into a war with Iran," he added.

"Iran holding back its proxies & the protests against the regime in January show that Trump’s max pressure & strategic targeted strike campaign was working, tragically this success was squandered by letting the Israelis drive our decision making," Kent claimed.

House Democrats fail to fracture GOP support for Trump's Iran strategy in war powers vote

Thu, 14 May 2026 17:00:15 -0400

House Democrats failed again Thursday to fracture Republicans’ support for President Donald Trump's Iran strategy as GOP lawmakers overwhelmingly rejected an effort to curb his war powers.

The House of Representatives deadlocked in a 212–212 vote, blocking a resolution offered by Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., that would have forced Trump to end hostilities against Iran absent congressional authorization.

Every Democratic lawmaker except for Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, voted for the measure. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., a leading Trump foe, and Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., and Tom Barrett, R-Mich., were the lone Republicans to cross-party lines in support of the resolution.

Several lawmakers in both parties did not vote.

WHERE AMERICAN SUPPORT FOR TRUMP’S IRAN STRIKE STANDS AS NEW POLLS ROLL IN

The failed vote comes after peace talks between Washington and Tehran stalled in recent weeks, though the ceasefire has largely stayed intact despite sporadic fighting.

Trump said Monday the ceasefire was "on life support" and reiterated his demand that Iran end its nuclear program.

Amid the stalemate, congressional Democrats have linked the war to voter concern about affordability in an effort to pressure GOP lawmakers to buck the president.

"The single fastest way to bring down costs is to end this war," House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, D-Mass., said on the House floor Wednesday. "And once again, Republicans are going to have an opportunity to do just that. Once again, they have a chance to bring our service members home and end this chaos."

But Republicans have argued that limiting Trump’s war powers could undermine his ability to end the conflict.

"By putting an arbitrary limitation on America's ability to deploy both kinetic as well as diplomatic pressure on Iran, I think it ends up harming our ability to negotiate, to get Iran to stand down," Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Iowa, a colonel in the Air Force Reserve, told Fox News Digital in an interview.

"What I've seen from the president is a clear desire to stop Iran's ability from having a nuclear weapon and in their ability to be the number one sponsor of state terrorism," he added.

TRUMP’S IRAN STRIKES GET LEGAL COVER AS SCHOLARS SAY ARTICLE II PLAYBOOK SPANS OBAMA ERA AND BEYOND

The vast majority of Republicans have continued to stand by Trump’s Iran strategy despite the administration cruising past a 60-day deadline to seek congressional approval of the conflict.

The president has argued the indefinite ceasefire that began April 7 effectively stopped the clock. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also contended that the 1973 War Powers Resolution giving Congress a say over the use of military force is unconstitutional.

Across the Capitol, GOP support for the war in Iran appears to be on shakier ground.

The Senate narrowly defeated a war powers resolution on Wednesday, the seventh attempt from Democrats since Operation Epic Fury began Feb. 28, that would have ended hostilities with Iran.

Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky., Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, crossed party lines to support the measure curbing Trump’s war powers while Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., joined Republicans in opposition. Just one more GOP yes vote would have allowed the resolution to clear the chamber.

Murkowski, who flipped her vote to support the war powers resolution, said Wednesday that the administration’s timeline in Iran "has taken us beyond the 60 days" deadline for Congress to authorize or halt the conflict.

She had hoped the administration would provide more clarity, but that information hadn't come, prompting her to join with Democrats in curbing Trump’s war powers.

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"We're in a different place than we were last time we voted on this," Murkowski said.

A Fox News poll published in late April found that 55% of Americans oppose military action against Iran. Nearly six in ten respondents said the war will not improve the safety of Americans enough to justify military action.

FBI offers $200K reward for former Air Force intelligence agent accused of spying for Iran

Thu, 14 May 2026 15:10:12 -0400

The FBI announced Thursday it is offering a $200,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension and prosecution of Monica Witt, a former U.S. service member and counterintelligence agent who was indicted by a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia in February 2019 on charges of espionage, including transmitting national defense information to the Iranian government.

Witt, a former active-duty U.S. Air Force intelligence specialist and special agent for the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, served in the military between 1997 and 2008, before working as a U.S. government contractor until 2010, according to a news release from the FBI Washington Field Office.

The 47-year-old's military service and contracting employment provided her access to secret and top secret information relating to foreign intelligence and counterintelligence, including the true names of U.S. Intelligence Community undercover personnel.

Officials allege that in 2013, Witt defected to Iran and provided information to the country's government, placing sensitive and classified U.S. national defense information and programs at risk, according to the indictment.

FORMER FAA CONTRACTOR PLEADS GUILTY TO SPYING FOR IRAN, SHARING PRIVATE INFO ON US AIRPORTS, ENERGY INDUSTRY

She allegedly intentionally provided information endangering U.S. personnel and their families stationed abroad, and conducted research on behalf of the Iranian regime to allow them to target her former colleagues in the U.S. government.

The FBI said Witt’s defection to Iran has benefited the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which has elements responsible for intelligence collection, unconventional warfare and providing direct support to multiple terrorist organizations targeting U.S. citizens and interests.

WOMAN ADDED TO FBI'S TEN MOST WANTED LIST ARRESTED HOURS LATER AFTER TIPS POURED IN FROM FLORIDA: PATEL

While Witt has been indicted for her alleged crimes, she remains at large. She is known to speak Farsi and reside in Iran, and may be using aliases, including Fatemah Zahra or Narges Witt.

The FBI said it is continuing to actively work to find Witt and bring her to justice.

"Monica Witt allegedly betrayed her oath to the Constitution more than a decade ago by defecting to Iran and providing the Iranian regime National Defense Information and likely continues to support their nefarious activities," said Daniel Wierzbicki, special agent in charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Counterintelligence and Cyber Division.

"The FBI has not forgotten and believes that during this critical moment in Iran’s history, there is someone who knows something about her whereabouts," Wierzbicki continued. "The FBI wants to hear from you so you can help us apprehend Witt and bring her to justice."

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Anyone with information about Witt is asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI. Tips can also be shared with local FBI offices, the nearest American embassy or consulate, or submitted via tips.fbi.gov.

Ship seized off coast of UAE near Strait of Hormuz may have been 'floating armory': report

Thu, 14 May 2026 14:35:22 -0400

A ship was seized off the coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) near the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday morning, the British military reported.

The ship was boarded and "taken by unauthorized personnel" while it was roughly 38 nautical miles northeast of the United Arab Emirates’ oil export terminal Fujairah, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported Thursday.

UKMTO spotted the ship heading toward Iranian territorial waters after the seizure, it reported Thursday.

British authorities did not release information on who the ship belonged to or who seized it. Despite the lack of official corroboration, the BBC reported that the Honduras-flagged Hui Chuan was seized in the Strait on Thursday.

CARGO SHIP ATTACKED BY SMALL CRAFT NEAR STRAIT OF HORMUZ, UK MARITIME AGENCY SAYS

Citing the risk-management company Vanguard, the BBC reported that the ship's operators told Vanguard that the Hui Chuan was operating as a "floating armory" for ships in the Strait to defend themselves from pirates.

At least two other ships have already been seized in the Strait of Hormuz since February.

IRAN SAYS ITS SMALL SUBS DEPLOYED TO STRAIT OF HORMUZ AS EXPERT EXPLAINS THREAT: ‘VULNERABLE TO DETECTION’

In April, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) seized the Panamanian-flagged MSC Francesca and the Epaminondes ships in the Strait.

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Fox News Digital contacted UKMTO and Vanguard for further information but did not immediately receive a response.

Trump says Xi Jinping offered to help broker deal with Iran during high-stakes Beijing talks

Thu, 14 May 2026 12:28:57 -0400

President Donald Trump revealed Thursday that Chinese President Xi Jinping offered to help broker a deal with Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz following high-stakes talks in Beijing.

"President Xi would like to see a deal made," Trump told Sean Hannity in an exclusive interview airing tonight at 9 p.m. ET on Fox News Channel.

"And he did offer. He said, ‘If I can be of any help at all, I would like to be of help'... He'd like to see the Hormuz Strait open."

Trump also said Xi assured him China would not provide military equipment to Iran, a key point of discussion as members of the Trump administration press Beijing over its relationship with Tehran.

WHAT XI WANTS FROM TRUMP AS BEIJING SEEKS LEVERAGE IN HIGH-STAKES SUMMIT

"That’s a big statement..." Trump said.

"He said that strongly, but at the same time, he said they buy a lot of [Iran's] oil there, and they’d like to keep doing that. He’d like to see Hormuz Strait opened. I said, 'Well, we didn’t stop it, they [Iran] did, and then we stopped them.'"

Trump also pointed to concerns Xi raised over alleged efforts by Iran to impose costs on ships moving through the critical global energy corridor.

TRUMP SAYS IT’S AN ‘HONOR’ TO KEEP STRAIT OF HORMUZ OPEN FOR CHINA AND OTHER COUNTRIES

"He didn’t like the fact that they’re charging tolls," Trump said.

"I don’t know if they are or not — I don’t know who would pay them. Where would the money go? The country is decimated."

The president's remarks came after a two-and-a-half-hour meeting with the Chinese leader, where the two also discussed increasing U.S. access to Chinese markets and halting the flow of fentanyl precursors to the U.S.

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According to the White House, the two sides agreed that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open.

However, China reportedly raised other warnings surrounding Taiwan.

Trump and Xi are expected to meet again for a bilateral tea meeting at 11:40 a.m. Friday local time.

Fox News' Eric Mack, Morgan Phillips, Lauren Simonetti, Greg Wehner, Michael Sinkewicz, Robert McGreevy and Efrat Lachter contributed to this report.

China’s Iran ties complicate Trump-Xi summit as tensions test US leverage

Thu, 14 May 2026 12:00:05 -0400

President Donald Trump said Tuesday he expects to have a "long talk" with Chinese President Xi Jinping about Iran this week, an issue now looming over a summit that was originally expected to focus heavily on trade, technology and Taiwan.

"It was a fantastic day," Trump said Thursday during a state banquet of his welcome to China and his initial round of meetings. "And in particular, I want to thank President Xi, my friend, for this magnificent welcome … and for so graciously hosting us on this very historic state visit. We had positive and productive conversations and meetings today with the Chinese delegation earlier. And this evening is another cherished opportunity to discuss among friends some of the things that we discussed today."

Instead of arriving in Beijing with the Middle East conflict behind him, Trump faces the added challenge of confronting Xi over China’s ties to Tehran while trying to preserve leverage in one of the world’s most consequential relationships.

China’s role as a top buyer of Iranian oil has long frustrated U.S. officials. But with Trump now trying to choke off Tehran’s economic lifeline, Beijing’s support for Iran is no longer a side issue.

TRUMP DELAYS XI MEETING AS IRAN CONFLICT LETS US STRONG-ARM CHINA’S OIL SUPPLY

Ahead of the summit, Trump also appeared to downplay the extent to which Iran would dominate the talks, telling reporters before departing for Beijing that "we have a lot of things to discuss" and adding, "I wouldn’t say Iran is one of them, to be honest with you, because we have Iran very much under control."

China purchases roughly 90% of Iran’s exported oil, making Beijing Tehran’s primary economic lifeline — though Iranian crude accounts for only about 13% to 15% of China’s total oil imports.

The Trump administration has ramped up pressure by imposing secondary sanctions on Chinese refiners processing Iranian oil — a move that threatens to cut those firms off from the U.S. financial system and underscores how the Iran conflict is increasingly colliding with the broader U.S.-China relationship.

During the first bilateral meeting between Trump and Xi Thursday morning, the Chinese president expressed interest in buying more American energy.

"The two sides agreed that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to support the free flow of energy," a White House official said in a readout of the meeting.

"President Xi also made clear China’s opposition to the militarization of the Strait and any effort to charge a toll for its use, and he expressed interest in purchasing more American oil to reduce China’s dependence on the Strait in the future," the official continued. "Both countries agreed that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon."

Beijing, in turn, ordered Chinese companies not to comply with those sanctions, a far more direct confrontation with Washington than China has typically embraced in past disputes, where it has often quietly worked around U.S. pressure.

Even as Beijing publicly urged firms to ignore the U.S. sanctions, Chinese regulators quietly instructed major banks to suspend new lending to several sanctioned refineries, according to a Bloomberg report, a sign Beijing was trying to shield its financial system from exposure to U.S. secondary sanctions rather than openly escalate the standoff.

TRUMP TARGETS IRANIAN OIL WITH SANCTIONS, INCREASING PRESSURE ON ISLAMIC REPUBLIC TO MAKE DEAL ON NUKES

Elaine Dezenski, who heads the Center on Economic and Financial Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said the Iran conflict is "quietly changing China’s strategic calculus."

"Thus far, China has weathered the economic disruption of the Iran conflict reasonably well," Dezenski said during an FDD media briefing previewing the summit. But she noted Beijing has been forced to draw on strategic oil and gas reserves originally intended for a potential Taiwan contingency.

The dynamic has fueled debate in Washington over whether the Iran conflict ultimately weakens Trump’s hand with Beijing by pulling U.S. resources back toward the Middle East — or whether it instead highlights China’s own vulnerabilities.

Craig Singleton, senior director of FDD’s China Program, argued Beijing has little interest in allowing the conflict to spiral further.

"China does not want a wider Middle East war," Singleton said. "It does not want sustained energy disruption."

Even if China is better positioned than many countries to absorb short-term shocks, Singleton argued Beijing ultimately wants the Strait of Hormuz reopened because "China’s export economy depends on predictable energy, transport and insurance conditions."

But the Trump administration’s campaign against Iran is increasingly running through Chinese interests — transforming what had been a regional conflict into a direct point of friction between the world’s two largest powers.

"President Trump, when you go to China, realize that the person you’re talking to is propping up Russia and Iran," Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said during a Senate hearing on Tuesday, adding that "of all the countries on the planet, China could have the most influence of ending this war if they chose to."

U.S. officials have also accused Chinese and Hong Kong-based entities of helping Iran procure materials tied to its missile and drone programs, further deepening tensions between Washington and Beijing over Tehran.

"China always acts prudently and responsibly on the export of military products, and exercises strict control in accordance with China’s laws and regulations on export control and due international obligations," Chinese embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu told Fox News Digital. "China opposes groundless smear and ill-intentioned association. Regarding the situation in Iran, China has repeatedly articulated its solemn position. The pressing priority is to make every effort to prevent by all means a relapse in fighting, rather than exploiting the conflict to maliciously smear other nations."

Analysts say Trump is unlikely to secure a dramatic breakthrough from Beijing on Iran, but could push Xi to quietly pressure Tehran to avoid further disruptions to global energy markets.

Chinese cooperation could come with expectations of concessions elsewhere in the U.S.-China relationship, even if Beijing’s actual influence over Tehran is limited.

Other experts cautioned against overestimating Beijing’s ability — or willingness — to deliver Iran.

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"I would be very careful about making concessions … for some kind of promise that they’re going to whisper in the ears of their friends in Iran," said Sarah Cook, a senior fellow at CEPA.

Despite China’s economic importance to Iran, experts note Tehran’s decision-making is driven heavily by ideology and regime survival — factors Beijing cannot fully control.

US ramps nuclear weapons production to Cold War levels as China pursues ‘unprecedented’ buildup

Thu, 14 May 2026 11:51:28 -0400

The U.S. is producing nuclear weapons at levels not seen since the Cold War, Energy Secretary Chris Wright told lawmakers Thursday, as officials warned of a rapidly expanding Chinese arsenal and growing nuclear threats from Iran.

"Today, NNSA is delivering more new nuclear weapons and plutonium pits than at any time since the Cold War," Wright said during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, describing what he called a broader U.S. "nuclear renaissance."

The ramp-up comes as China undertakes what lawmakers described as an "unprecedented" expansion of its nuclear forces, raising concerns in Washington about a shifting global balance of power.

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., warned that Beijing is moving beyond a minimum deterrence posture and building a far larger and more sophisticated nuclear arsenal under Chinese President Xi Jinping.

CHINA DIRECTS LARGEST MILITARY BUILD-UP SINCE 1930S NAZI GERMANY, EXPERT WARNS, CITING PENTAGON REPORT

"China's building a far larger and more sophisticated nuclear force," Wicker said, pointing to the rapid construction of hundreds of new missile silos, expanded mobile missile systems, ballistic missile submarines, and investments in long-range bombers. "All of these measures flow from and to a strategy designed to surpass the United States in the coming decade."

Wicker said China’s nuclear buildup is unfolding alongside a broader push to translate economic strength into military advantage, including dominance in shipbuilding, critical minerals and key dual-use technologies.

"Deterrence is expensive, but this is a competition we cannot afford to lose," he said.

For decades, China maintained a relatively small "minimum deterrent" nuclear posture, but U.S. officials now say Beijing is building a larger and more survivable force across land, sea and air platforms. Pentagon estimates project China’s arsenal could exceed 1,000 operational nuclear warheads by 2030, up from more than 600 today. By comparison, the United States maintains roughly 3,700 active nuclear warheads in its stockpile.

Wright argued the U.S. is responding with a sweeping modernization effort, with seven major warhead programs underway simultaneously to ensure each leg of the nuclear triad remains operational.

"Thanks to President Trump's leadership, America's nuclear renaissance is here," Wright said.

But some lawmakers raised concerns about whether the U.S. nuclear enterprise can sustain that pace.

Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., warned that the National Nuclear Security Administration is already under strain, particularly after the dismissal of hundreds of trained nuclear personnel last year.

"These experts are exceedingly hard to recruit and retain," Reed said, noting that the agency previously had roughly 2,000 personnel supporting Pentagon nuclear requirements.

Reed also cautioned that new proposals — including expanded nuclear-powered naval capabilities — could further stretch resources and increase demand for warhead production that the agency is already struggling to meet.

Wicker, meanwhile, criticized the administration for failing to request funding for a nuclear sea-launched cruise missile warhead program, calling it a matter of complying with existing law.

"The United States cannot afford to forego credible, flexible response options while our adversaries' nuclear forces grow day by day," he said.

TRUMP ORDERS US NUCLEAR WEAPONS TESTING TO BEGIN 'IMMEDIATELY' AFTER RUSSIA TESTS NEW MISSILES

The hearing also highlighted escalating concerns about Iran’s nuclear program.

During questioning from Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Wright said Iran is close to reaching a key threshold.

"They are weeks — a small number of weeks — away to enrich that to weapons grade uranium," Wright said.

He noted Iran already possesses uranium enriched to 60%, along with significant quantities enriched to 20%, bringing it dangerously close to weapons-grade capability.

"When you're at 60%, you are … way more than 90% of the way there for the enrichment necessary for weapons grade uranium," he said. "It’s very concerning."

Asked whether the U.S. should target Iran’s full stockpile of enriched uranium — estimated at roughly 12 tons — Wright indicated support for an aggressive approach.

PHYSICIST LAWMAKER WARNS US LACKS CLEAR PLAN FOR IRAN’S ENRICHED URANIUM

"I think that's the wise strategy. Ultimately, the goal is to prevent future enrichment of uranium as well," he said.

The tensions with Iran have also raised concerns about global energy markets, particularly the risk of disruptions to oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz.

"A whole administration was well aware of that risk," Wright said when asked whether the White House anticipated potential fallout.

Pressed on how to mitigate the impact on American households, Wright emphasized restoring global energy flows, saying the U.S. would ensure the free movement of oil through the region "either in a, in an agreement … or without a deal."

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Wright defended the administration’s push for increased funding for nuclear programs, arguing it is critical to restoring U.S. strategic dominance.

"We lost our mojo a bit in designing new weapons and modernizing our weapons," he said. "It is absolutely essential that every power in the world believes and understands that the United States has the top nuclear arsenal."

America holds the advantage as Trump meets Xi in high-stakes summit

Thu, 14 May 2026 09:00:49 -0400

President Donald Trump arrives in Beijing with a strong hand to play in talks with China’s President Xi Jinping. It’s all due to his military and trade moves over the past 16 months.

Of course, to read the press, you’d think doom awaits. "Xi is confident in his country’s power; Trump is weakened with U.S. mired in war," fretted The Washington Post on Monday, May 11. From New York, the Council on Foreign Relations asserted on Sunday that at the Trump-Xi summit, China will have the upper hand. The general take is that Trump is reeling from the Iran war, while Xi is some sort of mastermind, ready to hop into global leadership. "Xi wants to project China as a more reliable and responsible counterweight to U.S. volatility," as the Post put it.

You’ve got to be kidding me. The reality is that Trump has put America in a much stronger geopolitical position versus China. Last spring, China was yanking export licenses for critical minerals and jeopardizing factory production around the globe. Now, the U.S. Navy sits athwart China’s No. 1 oil route in the Strait of Hormuz. That’s a new poker hand.

Xi has spent the past year purging military officers, dealing with a slowing economy, and coping with China’s lag in the AI race by turning inward.

TRUMP HEADS TO CHINA WITH THE UPPER HAND — AND XI KNOWS IT

In contrast, Trump has cut trade deals around the world attracting trillions of dollars in foreign investment. He’s clobbered Iran’s military and ended the rule of Chinese chum Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela. The U.S. Pacific Fleet has intercepted illicit shadow tankers bound for China’s teapot refineries that sneak in oil from Iran and Russia. The sophisticated display of military power in Operation Epic Fury made eyeballs pop in China’s People’s Liberation Army.

China experts caution Trump is forfeiting prestige by meeting on Xi’s home turf. But for Trump, it’s irresistible. Accompanying Trump to Beijing is an American dream team of CEOs who dominate everything from low Earth orbit (that’s Elon Musk of Tesla and SpaceX) to top-grade aircraft engines (that’s Larry Culp of GE Aerospace.)

He wants to look Xi Jinping in the eye, and there is no substitute for sitting down at a negotiating table.

MARTIN GURRI: LET'S LOOK AT ALL THE GLOBAL BENEFITS TRUMP REAPED BY GRABBING MADURO

Watch for four major moves in Beijing.

Trade

This is a business trip. Team Trump hates what China’s rise did to the USA. Here’s the good news. "Our trade deficit in goods with China fell to $202 billion in 2025—the lowest it has been since 2004. And China’s share of total U.S. imports fell to about 9 percent, the lowest it has been since China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001," U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer testified Apr. 28.

LIZ PEEK: TRUMP'S MAJOR TRADE WINS COULD BE ROCKET FUEL TO US ECONOMY

What Trump wants now is a stable, balanced and civil relationship with China. His plan is managed trade: a new policy where the U.S. and China negotiate tariffs sector by sector and expand trade on non-sensitive goods.

Export deals

Agriculture is at the top of the list, including exports of soybeans, dairy, and corn. Farmers are hoping for a long-term deal with China – although China has failed to live up to similar promises in the past. Aviation watchers predict Boeing could sell China up to 500 airliners and CEO Kelly Ortberg will be on the trip. This is all part of Trump’s plan to narrow the trade deficit. Trump wants America positioned for maximum sales.

TAIWAN WATCHES TRUMP-XI MEETING FOR SIGNS CHINA WILL TEST US RESOLVE

Iran

Trump will come down hard on China for selling Iran sodium perchlorate and other chemicals for ballistic missile fuels. Beijing is already anxious. Secretary of State Marco Rubio just slapped sanctions on Chinese satellite imagery companies and on Qingdao Haiye Oil Terminal Co., which receives Iranian oil. Dwindling oil could hit plastics and chemicals industries and stunt Chinese economic growth.

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Artificial Intelligence

Trump and Xi may chit-chat about AI safety, but the U.S. should steer clear of so-called agreements. The U.S. must win the AI race. As of May 1, 2026, the U.S. government’s National Institute of Standards reports the best U.S. model, Open AI GPT 5.5, is approximately eight months ahead of China’s DeepSeek V4 Pro.

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Whatever you think about AI, you don’t want a world where Xi Jinping sets AI standards. America’s best chance here is the unfettered success of our tech titans and start-ups. They are winning this race with model innovation, and by deploying the whole AI tech stack across global markets ahead of China. Only our U.S. tech sector has the money to compete with China.

China remains a formidable military competitor. China is once again landfilling for new bases in the South China Sea. China has doubled its nuclear missile arsenal from about 250 to over 600 weapons and massive expansion continues unabated. However, Trump’s blend of trade deals and military deterrence is proof positive of America’s unrivaled global leadership.

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Iranian sleeper cells pose World Cup threat, former FBI agent warns, urges Trump to send stark warning

Thu, 14 May 2026 08:00:09 -0400

A former FBI agent is urging President Trump to send a stark warning to Iran ahead of the World Cup, saying that the country's sleeper cells could pose a threat to the global sporting event.

With the FIFA World Cup kicking off in June, former Navy SEAL and FBI special agent Jonathan Gilliam urged Trump to send Iran a message: back off or face the consequences.

"I would hope that the president makes it known before this occurs, that if Iran does anything during these World Cup events, that it's going to be not just a retaliatory strike, but that would be the end of any talks and that he will lay waste to everything and anything that is the Iranian regime if that occurs," Gilliam said.

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Gilliam also made a provocative suggestion how Trump should send a warning message to Iran.

TRUMP HAS THREE STRIKE OPTIONS THAT WOULD AID THE PROTESTERS AND DEVASTATE IRAN

"I think if the president did that, and he showed that he was very serious, gave some sign, dropped a MOAB in the middle of nowhere in Iran and said, 'this is what's going to occur if you if you touch anyone in the United States.' ... This is what's coming to you," Gilliam said. "A MOAB, that's the largest non-nuclear conventional bomb in the world in history. And you can drop that somewhere and make a dramatic impact if the president was to show force like Iran does."

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"They play diplomat, but they understand force, and so I would recommend that the president examine possibilities like that and that he makes it known that 'you do anything here, then that's it,'" he added.

Gilliam said that there are already sleeper cells in the U.S. The question is whether they will be activated to carry out an attack during the World Cup.

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"The probability may vary, so the numbers game, is it 100% guaranteed, is it 50% guaranteed? That's always a game that you really don't want to play," he said. "All of these things are going to play into the fact that sleeper cells have always been, for any of these events in the United States and around the world, have always been a possibility."

His warning comes at a time when negotiations between the U.S. and Iran appear to be breaking down, with Trump responding "TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!" to Iran's recent response to a U.S. ceasefire proposal.

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The president addressed the Iranian sleeper cell threat in early March, pushing blame onto former President Biden for letting them into the country.

TRUMP SAYS 'WE'VE GOT OUR EYES ON' IRANIAN SLEEPER CELLS IN US

"I have been (briefed), and a lot of people came in through Biden with his stupid open border," Trump told Fox News' Peter Doocy. "But we know where most of them are. We've got our eye on all of them."

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$625 million is being distributed to secure the World Cup after being passed by Congress and signed by Trump, which is being directed to law enforcement agencies to cover overtime costs.

In total, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has spent nearly $900 million toward securing the World Cup, according to a news release from the agency.

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The World Cup starts on June 11 and runs through July 19 and the United States will host 78 World Cup matches, while Mexico and Canada will host the rest.

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment.

Trump-Xi’s China summit is a defining test for America in the new Cold War

Thu, 14 May 2026 05:00:58 -0400

When Chinese President Xi Jinping publicly declared that mastery of artificial intelligence is "the front line and main battlefield of international competition," he was not indulging in political theater. He was announcing the strategic framework now guiding Beijing’s economic, military and technological ambitions.

After 24 years in uniform and another two-plus decades studying America’s adversaries — from the Pentagon to a think tank to writing 14 books on geopolitical threats — I have learned to take authoritarian leaders seriously when they openly declare their intentions.

As President Donald Trump arrives in Beijing on May 14 for his first visit to China since 2017, the central question is whether Washington fully understands the scale of the contest now unfolding.

A summit unlike any other

TRUMP HEADS TO BEIJING FOR HIGH-STAKES XI TALKS AS TAIWAN TENSIONS, TRADE DISPUTES TEST US STRENGTH

This is not a routine summit centered on trade disputes or diplomatic optics.

According to Reuters, senior officials expect discussions involving Iran, Taiwan, semiconductors, rare earth minerals, tariffs, computing infrastructure and military stability.

No Trump-Xi meeting in recent memory has carried this level of geopolitical risk.

TRUMP’S TARIFF WAR WITH BEIJING IS PART OF A MULTI-PRONG STRATEGY TO SECURE AMERICA FROM A MUCH BROADER THREAT

The Middle East remains in open conflict following the Iran war. That conflict has forced the Strait of Hormuz closure, triggering the most severe global energy shock in years and giving Beijing unusual leverage over economies desperate for stable supply chains. Taiwan sits under mounting Chinese military pressure. Meanwhile, Washington and Beijing are accelerating toward what increasingly resembles a new Cold War — not centered on nuclear weapons, but on chips, data, automated systems, infrastructure and digital control.

Beneath the ceremonial handshakes lies something far larger than diplomacy. Trump and Xi are not merely negotiating trade balances. They are negotiating over who shapes the international order for the next generation.

The new AI Cold War

STEVE FORBES: THE AI COLD WAR HAS BEGUN AND AMERICA CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE

For years, many American policymakers viewed China primarily through an economic lens. That era is over.

Beijing now openly links computing power, industrial policy, military modernization, surveillance systems and digital infrastructure into a unified strategy of national power. In my new book, "The New AI Cold War: Liberty vs. Tyranny in the Age of Machine Empires," I describe this struggle as "not a war of tanks and missiles alone, but of algorithms, data, and digital power."

Recent developments confirm that China is moving faster than many in Washington appreciate.

TOP AI FIRM ALLEGES CHINESE LABS USED 24K FAKE ACCOUNTS TO SIPHON US TECH

A major National Review analysis warned that Beijing is preparing to flood the world with exports of its computing technology after becoming increasingly self-sufficient in chips, infrastructure and open-source machine-learning systems. Huawei’s newest Ascend processors reportedly approach the performance of advanced Nvidia systems, while Chinese firms such as DeepSeek and Alibaba aggressively expand deployment across Asia, Africa and the Middle East. What once looked like a technology gap is narrowing into a strategic race.

The theft dimension is no longer theoretical. On April 23, White House Science Advisor Michael Kratsios formally accused China of conducting "industrial-scale campaigns to distil U.S. frontier AI systems" — leveraging tens of thousands of proxy accounts and jailbreaking techniques to extract capabilities from American models and train cheaper Chinese versions.

Anthropic has documented that three Chinese laboratories generated over 16 million fraudulent exchanges with its systems to accomplish exactly that.

AI ARMS RACE: US AND CHINA WEAPONIZE DRONES, CODE AND BIOTECH FOR THE NEXT GREAT WAR

Washington and Beijing are also exploring possible guardrails and crisis communications channels, recognizing that neither side benefits from uncontrolled escalation involving autonomous systems and cyber operations. When rival powers negotiate emergency protocols for machine-directed conflict, the world has entered a new era.

Exporting digital authoritarianism

The danger extends beyond the technology race itself.

GORDON CHANG: CHINA'S RISING MARKETS MASK A FRAGILE ECONOMY, SOCIAL DISCONTENT

China increasingly fuses automated surveillance, industrial policy, machine-learning infrastructure and state power into a digitally enforced authoritarian system. According to Huawei, its "Safe City" platforms have been deployed in hundreds of cities worldwide.

Governments across Africa, Southeast Asia and the Middle East now rely on Chinese surveillance infrastructure. China is not merely exporting cameras and software. It is exporting a governance philosophy built on control rather than consent.

In many cases, nations adopting Chinese systems also inherit Chinese technical standards, Chinese data ecosystems and Chinese assumptions about censorship, monitoring and centralized authority. That matters because the emerging contest between Washington and Beijing is not simply economic. It is ideological.

CHINA’S GLOBAL AGGRESSION CHECK: TAIWAN TENSIONS, MILITARY POSTURING, AND US RESPONSE IN 2025

Taiwan: the most dangerous flashpoint

Taiwan may be the summit’s most combustible issue.

Reuters reported that Trump intends to discuss Taiwan arms sales directly with Xi, acknowledging publicly that Beijing wants those sales reduced. Xi’s government has made clear it will never tolerate Taiwanese independence, and any ambiguity from Washington would embolden further aggression. Any concession there would be a grave mistake.

HORMUZ CHAOS SPARKS WARNING: CHINA COULD STRANGLE TAIWAN WITHOUT FIRING A SHOT

Taiwan produces more than 90% of the world’s most advanced semiconductors. Losing reliable access to that manufacturing capacity would severely damage American defense production, communications systems and advanced computing industries.

But Taiwan is about more than chips. The island sits at the center of Indo-Pacific maritime security and represents a test of American credibility with allies from Tokyo to Manila. Softening support for Taiwan in exchange for temporary diplomatic concessions elsewhere would not produce peace. It would invite further escalation.

Iran and China’s energy leverage

TRUMP TO CONFRONT XI AT HIGH-STAKES SUMMIT OVER CHINA BACKING FOR IRAN, RUSSIA

Iran will also weigh heavily on the summit.

China remains one of the largest buyers of Iranian oil, helping sustain Tehran economically despite Western sanctions. The Strait of Hormuz closure has sharpened that leverage: China has weathered the energy shock better than most, giving Xi unusual geopolitical confidence at the negotiating table.

Trump must not trade long-term American strategic interests for vague Chinese promises regarding Iran. Beijing may offer diplomatic assistance or pressure on Tehran, but any arrangement that strengthens China’s geopolitical position while leaving Iran strategically intact would weaken America’s long-term standing across the Middle East.

TRUMP MUST BE STRONG AGAINST CHINA TO KEEP THE PEACE

The defining contest

Xi comes to the summit seeking economic relief, tariff stability and strategic breathing room. Trump arrives facing the challenge of preserving American leverage without triggering uncontrolled escalation.

Both leaders likely want stability. Neither side benefits from direct confrontation between the world’s two largest powers. But history teaches that stability without strength rarely lasts.

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The Psalms warn that "unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain." America’s watchmen cannot afford complacency.

This summit is not merely about tariffs, Taiwan, or temporary diplomatic agreements. It is a reckoning over who governs the technologies, infrastructure and strategic systems that will shape the 21st century. Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected in Beijing just days after Trump’s departure — a reminder that the alliances forming around this contest will define the global balance of power for a generation.

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America’s allies in Tokyo, Seoul, Canberra, London and beyond are watching carefully.

The question is no longer whether the United States and China are competing for global influence. The question is whether America still possesses the clarity, resolve, and strategic patience required to prevail in the defining geopolitical contest of our age.

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MORNING GLORY: President Trump needs to finish the war against Iran once and for all

Thu, 14 May 2026 05:00:30 -0400

My mornings begin with coffee — how did I ever get through high school without coffee? — and the "News Items" newsletter from John Ellis, longtime NBC News poobah whose reputation for fairness and seriousness led his hobby of collecting key stories and circulating a summary of them to friends and family to become an influential summary of the key stories from overnight as well as the obscure and the incredible (but always true and very well sourced).

John’s missive had been my 6 AM companion for so many years that when he decided to expand the shop, I was one of scores of recipients who said "Hey, I’ll invest a few bucks to grow that project — the country needs one newsletter that does not spin and can’t be spun," and over the next many years it’s grown into a replacement for the long march through the legacy outlets for an AM update on the world’s news.

"News Items" doesn’t have a slant, so when it opens with a "Well that really matters!" moment, I paused and considered its vast implications. Wednesday’s "News Items" began this way:

MORNING GLORY: PRESIDENT TRUMP MUST REJECT A SECOND MUNICH AND HOLD FIRM AGAIN IRAN

"1. The Trump administration’s public portrayal of a shattered Iranian military is sharply at odds with what U.S. intelligence agencies are telling policymakers behind closed doors, according to classified assessments from early this month that show Iran has regained access to most of its missile sites, launchers and underground facilities. Most alarming to some senior officials is evidence that Iran has restored operational access to 30 of the 33 missile sites it maintains along the Strait of Hormuz, which could threaten American warships and oil tankers transiting the narrow waterway. People with knowledge of the assessments said they show — to varying degrees, depending on the level of damage incurred at the different sites — that the Iranians can use mobile launchers that are inside the sites to move missiles to other locations. In some cases they can launch missiles directly from launchpads that are part of the facilities. Only three of the missile sites along the strait remain totally inaccessible, according to the assessments."

Having given up on the New York Times years ago — and the already infamous "rape-trained dogs" column from Nicholas Kristof must have sent more subscribers who relied on the platform for actual news as opposed to recipes and puzzles or The Athletic to the exits — I would not have known about that report early yesterday but for "News Items."

The newsletter can certainly be trusted to provide a faithful summary of a story from a platform that is not trusted by the center-right, but a story of consequence nonetheless.

The CIA — presumably the lead agency for the assessment that was leaked — is currently led by the very competent John Ratcliffe. But the CIA has a checkered record on Iran from 1979 when they didn’t see the Islamic Republic coming (much less what it portended) to 2007 when its "assessment" of Iran’s nuclear ambitions wholly missed the mark. That 2007 debacle should haunt consumers of this report:

"We judge with high confidence that in fall 2003, Tehran halted its nuclear weapons program."

So declared the opening words of the key judgments of the November 2007 National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on "Iran's Nuclear Intentions and Capabilities." The CIA might have had collaborators in the broader Intelligence Community in that enormous "swing and a miss" of an NIE 19 years ago, but the damage it did in handcuffing President George W Bush regarding Iran in his closing months was vast.

Of course President Obama spent eight years trying to find ways to welcome Iran into the community of nations —including the now infamous pallets of cash Obama sent the IRGC as part of the JCPOW—perhaps not realizing because of that 2007 NIE that the Islamic Republic was and would always remain a rogue and dangerous theocracy run by a two lunatic dictators in succession since 1979, fanatics whose whole plan was to build and use nuclear weapons to end first Israel and then any other opponent of its end-times apocalyptic vision including the U.S. if it could build the missile capable of reaching the homeland. No update and improved NIE was ever leaked even after Israel pilfered the entire Iranian nuclear file. But we know Team Obama was ideologicallly predisposed to play and lose the three-card monte Iran has been playing with the world for half a century.

That’s a longer way of saying that (1) the new assessment could be as wrong as 2007’s, but (2) hope isn’t a strategy especially when it comes to the battle with Iran. This time, as with 2007, the president ought to again go with the Intelligence Community’s assessment.

Which should mean that the next wave of planning for massive strikes on Iran’s arsenal should already be far advanced.

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Iran’s immediate response the to the February 28 attacks was to lash out not just at Israel and U.S. bases, but at a dozen other countries and their militaries and infrastructure. Like the proverbial wounded beast, the lunatic regime went wild. Noted. Iran wasn’t chastened or changed by the massive blows that rained down on it. Rather, the lunatics that remained regrouped and doubled and tripled down on vengeance.

It is relatively calm now with President Trump in China, but the "News Items" summary of the New York Times’ summary of the intelligence leak should mean the resumption of strikes when President Trump returns.

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There is no point to negotiation with the third string fanatics in Tehran. There is only the path of sustained degradation of their capabilities and strangulation of their economy. Perhaps the Artesh will tire of not getting paid. Perhaps some colonel in the IRGC figures out how to gather enough other colonels to pull off a coup. There are paths forward, but hard to see how internal resistance to the crazies atop the regime congeals absent military means combined with an economic vise.

None of the paths forward should include leaving Iran as it is. Lunatics in the neighborhood shouldn’t have hand guns or rifles. Lunatics on the world stage shouldn’t have missiles, mines, drones and enriched uranium. It really is that simple. Alone or with Israel and our Gulf Allies, President Trump has to finish the job.

Hugh Hewitt is a Fox News contributor and host of "The Hugh Hewitt Show" heard weekday afternoons from 3 PM to 6 PM ET on the Salem Radio Network, and simulcast on Salem News Channel. Hugh drives Americans home on the East Coast and to lunch on the West Coast on over 400 affiliates nationwide, and on all the streaming platforms where SNC can be seen. He is a frequent guest on the Fox News Channel’s news roundtable, hosted by Bret Baier weekdays at 6pm ET. A son of Ohio and a graduate of Harvard College and the University of Michigan Law School, Hewitt has been a Professor of Law at Chapman University’s Fowler School of Law since 1996 where he teaches Constitutional Law. Hewitt launched his eponymous radio show from Los Angeles in 1990. Hewitt has frequently appeared on every major national news television network, hosted television shows for PBS and MSNBC, written for every major American paper, has authored a dozen books and moderated a score of Republican candidate debates, most recently the November 2023 Republican presidential debate in Miami and four Republican presidential debates in the 2015-16 cycle. Hewitt focuses his radio show and his column on the Constitution, national security, American politics and the Cleveland Browns and Guardians. Hewitt has interviewed tens of thousands of guests from Democrats Hillary Clinton and John Kerry to Republican Presidents George W. Bush and Donald Trump over his 40 years in broadcasting. This column previews the lead story that will drive his radio/ TV show today.

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Marco Rubio says US will push China to take a more 'active role' in Iran negotiations ahead of Trump-Xi summit

Wed, 13 May 2026 19:15:19 -0400

Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed that U.S. officials will attempt to persuade China to take a more "active role" in resolving the conflict in Iran as President Donald Trump prepares to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Joining "Hannity" from aboard Air Force One while en route to China, Rubio explained that the U.S. has made its case to Beijing on why it should engage in efforts to settle simmering tensions with Iran.

"It’s in their interest to resolve this," Rubio said Wednesday. "We hope to convince them to play a more active role in getting Iran to walk away from what they're doing now and trying to do now in the Persian Gulf.

"We've made the argument to the Chinese, and I hope it's compelling. And they'll have a chance to do something about it at the United Nations later this week," he said.

IRAN WAR SUCCESS GIVES PRESIDENT A TRUMP CARD TO PLAY IN CHINA MEETING

Rubio argued it is in Beijing’s best interest to assist the U.S. with Iran — despite its strategic ties to Iran — as Chinese ships remain stuck in the Strait of Hormuz and place increased strain on the nation’s economy. China has the opportunity to back condemnation of Iran's actions on Hormuz at the United Nations.

"China's economy is export-driven, meaning their economy is fueled not by what they consume domestically, but by what they make and sell to other countries," the secretary of state said.

IRAN TURNS TO PUTIN AS US TALKS COLLAPSE, HORMUZ STANDOFF THREATENS GLOBAL OIL FLOW

"Economies are melting down because of this crisis in the Strait," he added. "They're going to be buying less Chinese product, and the Chinese exports are going to drop precipitously."

Trump's meeting with Xi is the first by a U.S. president since his own visit to China nine years ago.

Rubio also explained how the U.S. must strike a balance in its foreign policy toward China, noting that while the U.S. tames China as a geopolitical rival, it must also maintain a healthy relationship to preserve world stability.

"[China] is both our top political challenge geopolitically, and it's also the most important relationship for us to manage," the secretary told host Sean Hannity.

MARCO RUBIO TO CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER: TRUMP WILL PUT 'AMERICAN PEOPLE FIRST' IN US-CHINA RELATIONS

"We're going to have interests of ours that are going to be in conflict with interests of theirs. And to avoid wars and maintain peace and stability in the world, we're gonna have to manage those."

China sidestepped its own sanctions on Rubio by changing the spelling of his name, allowing him to enter the country for the high-stakes Trump-Xi meeting. He was barred from China in 2020 over his criticism of Beijing’s human rights record.

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At the high-stakes two-day summit, Trump and Xi are expected to discuss artificial intelligence, Taiwan and trade as the U.S.-Iran conflict simmers.

Rubio said Trump will cooperate with Xi where possible, while remaining steadfast on America’s core demands, including a non-nuclear Iran.

"There are clearly areas where they're so important for the United States that we're going to have to raise those issues, and we'll continue to do so. The president's going to continue to do so," he told Fox News. "There might be some areas of cooperation, too. And we want to make sure we don’t walk away from those."

Iran says its small subs deployed to Strait of Hormuz as expert explains threat: ‘Vulnerable to detection’

Wed, 13 May 2026 21:58:58 -0400

Iran says it has deployed small submarines to act as an "invisible guardian" of the Strait of Hormuz amid a series of rejected peace deals between Tehran and the U.S., according to reports.

The deployment claim came as analysts said that although the Iranian Ghadir-class mini-subs could threaten U.S. naval forces, the vessels’ limited range, firepower and endurance would blunt any real strategic impact.

The submarine deployment was highlighted by Bloomberg and first reported by the semi-official Tasnim News Agency.

Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, commander of Iran’s navy, said that his forces deployed its light submarine, referred to as the "dolphins of the Persian Gulf," according to the Iranian state media outlet.

IRAN TURNS TO PUTIN AS US TALKS COLLAPSE, HORMUZ STANDOFF THREATENS GLOBAL OIL FLOW

It also comes as Tehran seeks to reinforce its control over the strait, now defining it as a far larger zone, Reuters reported.

"Time would be limited, probably a couple of days at the most," defense analyst Tom Shugart told Fox News Digital about the Iranian vessel deployment.

The retired U.S. Navy submarine warfare officer also said the small diesel-electric submarines face fundamental operational constraints.

IRAN HOLDS WORLD ENERGY HOSTAGE WITH 'NIGHTMARE' STRAIT OF HORMUZ SEA MINES, FORMER CENTCOM OFFICIAL WARNS

"If they run their diesel engines to snorkel and recharge batteries, that could generate sound that could be detected," Shugart said.

"Their snorkel mast projecting from the water could be detected by radars on patrol aircraft or helicopters," Shugart added.

The submarines are said to be designed for shallow waters like the Strait of Hormuz and can operate quietly for limited periods on battery power.

"While they may be able to sit on the bottom for a while and operate somewhat quietly on their batteries for a while, they have no air-independent propulsion system (AIP) like more modern diesel-electric submarines," Shugart said before adding that they’ll, "eventually have to come up and snorkel. This will make them more vulnerable to detection and destruction."

INSIDE IRAN’S MILITARY: MISSILES, MILITIAS AND A FORCE BUILT FOR SURVIVAL

The IRGC Navy is said to be the sole operator of this class of submarine, all of which serve in the Southern Fleet.

"Any remaining Ghadirs, if they exist and are actually deployed, may be able to lay mines and may be able to threaten merchant ships," Shugart warned.

"But I don’t see them as a serious threat to U.S. Navy warships — and certainly not to U.S. submarines," he said.

"But I can say for sure that I wouldn’t want to go out on one in the current environment."

HORMUZ CHOKE POINT PERSISTS AS IRAN HALTS OIL TRAFFIC DESPITE TRUMP CEASEFIRE

The U.S. Navy confirmed May 10 that a U.S. Navy Ohio-class nuclear-armed submarine had arrived in Gibraltar.

"The port visit demonstrates U.S. capability, flexibility and continuing commitment to its NATO allies," U.S. Sixth Fleet Public Affairs said in a statement.

"Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines are undetectable launch platforms for submarine-launched ballistic missiles, providing the U.S. with its most survivable leg of the nuclear triad," it added.

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Meanwhile, Shugart’s remarks came as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, with commercial tanker traffic largely choked off amid ongoing military activity and the continued U.S. blockade of Iranian ports.

The United Arab Emirates and South Korea reported new strikes on stranded vessels Wednesday, while the IRGC increased its fast-attack craft activity, according to reports.

President Donald Trump has maintained Iran’s navy is "completely obliterated."

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Navy SEAL veteran warns China, Russia are watching US-Iran war to gauge American military strength

Wed, 13 May 2026 16:47:08 -0400

Navy SEAL veteran Jack Carr warned U.S. foreign adversaries will take note if the United States loses the Iran War as the conflict drags into a third month.

Carr said nations like China and Russia are watching U.S. military actions, taking note of American capabilities, while referencing the lessons the nations learned from the United States' handling of the Afghanistan War.

"What do we think North Korea is learning? What do we think Iran is learning from what we did in Afghanistan and how we spent 20 years there? We had 20 years to prepare to exit, and that was the best that we could do?" Carr said on "Hang Out with Sean Hannity."

"They're taking lessons from that. That's why what we're doing now is a reset."

MORNING GLORY: TRUMP HAS RESTORED THE GOP AS THE PARTY OF DEFENSE AND DETERRENCE

The SEAL veteran said President Donald Trump’s war on Iran is a "reset," and foreign adversaries are monitoring the outcome.

"This is really an opportunity for us to reestablish ourselves and reestablish that deterrence that we enjoyed for so long following World War II," Carr told Fox News.

He reflected on the impact of U.S. failures in Afghanistan, arguing the weak exit in 2021 left international enemies with more confidence to take military action.

FROM SYRIA TO SOMALIA, US TROOPS REMAIN DEPLOYED THIS HOLIDAY SEASON UNDER MISSIONS THAT NEVER FORMALLY ENDED

Days before the U.S. troop withdrawal, a suicide bomber killed about 170 Afghan civilians and 13 U.S. service members, an attack that drew criticism of the quick exit.

The Afghanistan War (2001–2021) has faced scrutiny as an endless and costly conflict, with critics questioning whether the fight was worth the loss of lives and resources.

Carr said the conflict degraded the United States' power to control global order and stability, pointing to weak military strategy during the conflict.

IRAN STRIKES COULD SIGNAL LIMITS OF BEIJING, MOSCOW’S POWER AS US FLEXES STRENGTH

"After Afghanistan, and certainly after Iraq, we lost that ability to deter just by being the United States of America because our enemy said, ‘Look, this is the best they can do? This is how we leave Afghanistan? This is what they did for 20 years there? This is what they did for this decade-plus in Iraq? OK, I think we can get away with X, Y and Z because the United States does not know how to effectively and efficiently deploy their military and employ their military."

Carr said China will "take lessons" if the United States fails in the Iran conflict and suggested it could give Beijing the military confidence to invade Taiwan.

"We have to win because if we do not win this thing, then they take another lesson, China specifically," he said. "They take lessons about Taiwan from that if we lose. So, the stakes are pretty high."

Carr also argued the U.S.-Iran conflict is less about the global economic impact, like surging oil prices caused by the Strait of Hormuz’s closure, and more about global order and stability.

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He emphasized the importance of U.S. success in the Iran conflict as foreign adversaries watch to assess American military capabilities.

"That's why these stakes are so high. This is why … the outcome of what's happening in Iran right now is so important, not just for the administration or not just for the region but for the world," he concluded.

Carr's full conversation with Sean Hannity is available now on the "Hang Out with Sean Hannity" podcast.

Whoopi Goldberg argues America is 'de-balled' and unserious on the world stage

Wed, 13 May 2026 16:00:00 -0400

As co-hosts of "The View" blasted President Donald Trump’s rhetoric on the costs of the Iran war, Whoopi Goldberg suggested Wednesday that America looks castrated and vulnerable on the world stage.

In a now-infamous clip, Trump was asked Tuesday morning whether he considers Americans’ financial situations amid negotiations to end the costly Iran war.

"Not even a little bit," Trump replied. "The only thing that matters when I’m talking about Iran — they can’t have a nuclear weapon. I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation. I don’t think about anybody. I think about one thing. We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. That’s all."

THE WAR HITS HOME: WHY FINANCIAL PAIN AND ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY THREATEN TRUMP’S DRIVE TO TOPPLE IRAN’S REGIME

Many Americans, including his supporters, have lamented that the war was not only a major betrayal of his campaign promises but has also made their economic situations far worse. The co-hosts of "The View" blasted Trump for the statement he made, arguing it shows his indifference to Americans and even "his own cult."

"He didn’t care about his own supporters’ pleas for no more wars when he went into Iran, and now he doesn’t care that Americans can’t afford to feed their families," Whoopi argued.

The co-hosts later noted that multiple high-profile members of Trump’s administration have been lampooned as unserious people or security liabilities for the nation itself, arguing this often reaches such a pitch that even Trump eventually sours on them and fires them.

MARK KELLY TRASHES TRUMP OVER IRAN, CLAIMS PEOPLE 'OFF THE STREET' WOULD DO BETTER THAN THE ADMINISTRATION

The hosts discussed recent reporting from The Atlantic about the alleged issues associated with FBI Director Kash Patel. The Atlantic recently published an article that cited multiple anonymous sources telling the outlet that the FBI director had an "emotional outburst" related to difficulty logging into a computer system, has had "bouts of excessive drinking" and has been absent enough to prompt security concerns.

"I have no faith in the people running anything. I don’t believe in anybody running this country right now and that’s what makes me nervous," Whoopi said.

"OK, well, who is going to take responsibility — you know, the CDC, right now? No one is running the CDC. We have this potential virus, and they keep saying, ‘No, there’s nothing to worry about.’ I don’t want to hear that from you because you don’t know if there’s nothing to worry about."

"We have been de-balled as a nation, I feel."

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As other co-hosts asked if she meant to say castrated, Whoopi replied, "It’s the same thing. I don’t have them, but I know it’s the same thing. But the idea that no one is in charge freaks me out."

"I think America still has its basketballs. I just think we have some very struggling leaders right now," co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin replied.

The sentiment around the world, Whoopi argued, is that "they just don’t believe anything we’re doing because nothing we do seems to have any weight."

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"Deeply unserious, de-balled," Whoopi concluded. "Whatever it is, it’s not what America should be seeing and how we should be seeing it."

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment.

Trump faces split among retired US commanders over whether to resume Iran strikes

Wed, 13 May 2026 06:00:03 -0400

President Donald Trump said the ceasefire with Iran is on "massive life support," as retired U.S. commanders and national security experts are increasingly split whether Washington should resume military operations against Tehran or avoid what critics warn could become another prolonged Middle East conflict.

"I would say the ceasefire is on massive life support," Trump told reporters Monday. "Where the doctor walks in and says, ‘Sir, your loved one has approximately a 1% chance of living.’"

Trump also dismissed Iran’s latest response to a proposed agreement as "a piece of garbage," amid reports the White House is reviewing military options should negotiations collapse.

Retired Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, former national security adviser under Trump, said he believes Iran’s leadership is unlikely to make the concessions Trump considers necessary for a deal.

WHITE HOUSE WARNS IRAN AGAINST BALKING AT DEAL: TRUMP READY TO 'UNLEASH HELL'

"I think the Iranian leadership and IRGC are unwilling to make the kind of concessions that President Trump thinks are at the minimum," McMaster told Fox News Digital, referring to Iran's hardline Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

"President Trump always wants a deal," he added. "But he's not going to sign up for a bad deal."

The emerging debate now centers on a core question facing Washington: whether additional military pressure could force Iran to abandon its nuclear and missile ambitions, or whether renewed strikes would deepen a regional conflict without producing decisive results.

Retired Vice Adm. Mark Fox, former deputy commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), said he believes the current ceasefire and diplomatic track are unlikely to force Iran to back down.

"I really cannot envision anything other than a full return to combat operations," Fox told Fox News Digital. "The only thing that they will respond to, I think ultimately, is force."

Fox argued the U.S. military remains capable of reopening and securing commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz despite ongoing Iranian threats against vessels transiting the waterway.

HORMUZ CHOKE POINT PERSISTS AS IRAN HALTS OIL TRAFFIC DESPITE TRUMP CEASEFIRE

"This is a militarily obtainable objective," he said, outlining a strategy involving guided missile destroyers, attack helicopters, drones and expanded aerial surveillance to create a protected maritime corridor through the Strait.

Fox acknowledged the U.S. Navy is smaller than it was during the 1980s tanker wars, but argued American forces still possess the capability to secure the chokepoint if Washington commits enough naval assets and persistent monitoring operations.

"It’s not easy," Fox said. "But the geography is fixed."

He described a possible strategy that would rely on destroyers, drones and attack aircraft to create what he called an "unblinking eye" over the strait, allowing U.S. forces to identify and neutralize Iranian speedboats, drones and anti-shipping threats before they can strike commercial vessels.

Fox also warned against allowing Iran to preserve leverage over Hormuz while continuing to advance its missile and nuclear programs.

"If not now, when?" he said. "If they had a nuclear weapon, they would use it."

EXPERTS WARN IRAN’S NUCLEAR DOUBLE-TALK DESIGNED TO BUY TIME, UNDERMINE US PRESSURE

Fox, who also signed onto a recent policy paper by the Jewish Institute for National Security of America, echoed the report’s argument that Iran is using negotiations to buy time while preserving its military capabilities.

The paper was authored by several retired senior U.S. military officials and national security experts, including retired Gen. Chuck Wald, former deputy commander of U.S. European Command and retired Vice Adm. Robert Harward, former deputy commander of CENTCOM, argued the current ceasefire and diplomatic track "cannot reliably compel Iran" to meet U.S. demands and warned Tehran was seeking to "drag out talks, erode U.S. resolve, and use the time to strengthen itself."

The report called for expanded military operations targeting Iran’s maritime capabilities, missile infrastructure and internal coercive apparatus while avoiding broad attacks on civilian infrastructure that could trigger wider regional escalation.

But not everyone agrees that renewed military action would produce a better outcome.

Retired Lt. Col. Daniel Davis, a senior fellow at Defense Priorities and longtime critic of expanded U.S. military interventions, warned that calls to "finish the job" ignore the realities exposed during the recent fighting.

"To ‘finish the job,’ as they say, is irrational," Davis told Fox News Digital. "It’s illogical, and it violates any kind of military principle."

KEITH KELLOGG URGES US TO 'FINISH THE JOB' AGAINST IRAN BY SEIZING ISLANDS, STRANGLING ECONOMY

Davis argued that despite thousands of strikes and weeks of fighting, Iran retained significant missile and maritime capabilities.

"We couldn't knock them out with 14,000 targets hit," he said. "Why does anybody think that going back another time is going to have a different result?"

He described Iran’s geography, dispersed missile infrastructure and asymmetric naval tactics as creating what he called "a militarily unsolvable problem."

"The only thing left is a diplomatic outcome," Davis said.

The disagreement reflects a broader divide emerging in Washington as officials weigh what comes next if negotiations fail.

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Supporters of renewed military action argue Iran is weaker than it has been in decades and that stopping now risks allowing Tehran to regroup, rebuild its missile arsenal and preserve leverage over one of the world’s most important energy choke points.

Critics counter that even extensive U.S. and Israeli strikes failed to fundamentally break the regime’s control or eliminate its military capabilities, raising the risk that further escalation could drag the United States into another drawn-out regional conflict with uncertain results.

Islamabad denies sheltering Iran jets, Trump praises Pakistan's mediation as 'absolutely great'

Tue, 12 May 2026 19:56:33 -0400

Pakistan rejected reports Tuesday that it allowed Iranian aircraft to use its airfields amid tensions with the United States—claims suggesting the move could have shielded the planes from potential airstrikes—even as Islamabad positioned itself as a high-profile mediator between the two sides.

According to the report May 11, Tehran was also said to have possibly sent a civilian aircraft to Afghanistan during the conflict.

Pakistan said Tuesday the CBS report was "misleading and sensationalized. Such speculative narratives appear aimed at undermining ongoing efforts for regional stability and peace," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

"Following the ceasefire and during the initial round of the Islamabad Talks, a number of aircraft from Iran and the United States arrived in Pakistan to facilitate the movement of diplomatic personnel, security teams, and administrative staff associated with the talks process," the ministry said before clarifying that "some aircraft and support personnel remained temporarily in Pakistan in anticipation of subsequent rounds of engagement."

JD VANCE RETURNS TO WASHINGTON AFTER 16 HOURS OF IRAN PEACE TALKS COLLAPSE IN PAKISTAN

The alleged Iranian asset movements had also suggested there was an effort by Iran to conceal some of its remaining aerial assets as Pakistan worked behind the scenes to broker a ceasefire between Iran and the United States.

President Donald Trump also confirmed Tuesday he was satisfied with the mediation work carried out by Pakistan, telling reporters ahead of his trip to China that they were "great."

"I think the Pakistanis have been great. The field marshal and the prime minister of Pakistan have been absolutely great," Trump clarified.

In April, Pakistan had emerged as a key mediator in efforts to de-escalate tensions between Washington and Tehran amid the Strait of Hormuz crisis and the regional conflict.

Islamabad hosted senior delegations for talks on April 11–12 after helping secure a temporary two-week ceasefire.

IRAN COVERTLY REPOSITIONS STRIKE DRONES AMID RUSSIA DRILLS IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ, EXPERT SAYS

Pakistan’s position was unique, given its geographic proximity to Iran and its longstanding strategic partnership with the United States.

Mediation efforts were led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

Officials told CBS that, days after Trump announced a ceasefire with Iran in early April, Tehran sent multiple aircraft to Pakistan Air Force Base Nur Khan.

Nur Khan Airbase, located near Rawalpindi, is said to be a key installation of the Pakistan Air Force and serves as a major logistical and operational hub.

Among the aircraft reportedly moved there was an Iranian Air Force RC-130, a reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering variant of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, the outlet said.

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

Despite initial progress between the U.S. and Iran, talks in Islamabad on April 11 ultimately collapsed.

However, Pakistani leadership said it felt optimistic. "We are very optimistic that the current momentum will lead to a lasting agreement," Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said.

Trump also praised Pakistan’s mediating role again, stating on May 7, "Pakistan has been fantastic. And its leaders have been fantastic—the marshal and the prime minister."

As part of the next response, Trump also launched "Project Freedom" to guide vessels through the Strait of Hormuz and to help free up shipping.

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Trump's initiative to help thousands of stranded crew lasted 48 hours, with the president later acknowledging that it was halted "at the request of Pakistan and other countries," including Saudi Arabia, to avoid jeopardizing ongoing negotiations with Iran.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. said Monday that if Pakistan did shelter Iranian aircraft during mediation then it would force a complete reassessment of Pakistan’s role.

"If this reporting is accurate, it would require a complete reevaluation of the role Pakistan is playing as mediator between Iran, the United States and other parties. Given some of the prior statements by Pakistani defense officials towards Israel, I would not be shocked if this were true," Graham said in a post shared on X.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Government of Pakistan, The White House and U.S. Central Command for comment.

Iran-born smuggler who helped terror-linked migrant enter US also stockpiled child abuse material, feds say

Tue, 12 May 2026 19:28:25 -0400

A New York-based, Iran-born U.S. citizen pleaded guilty Tuesday to running a migrant smuggling operation that brought foreign nationals into the country, including a traveler tied to a U.S.-designated terrorist group, while also stockpiling graphic child sexual abuse material, federal authorities said.

Sharon Gohari, who lived in Nassau County and frequently traveled to Iran, pleaded guilty in federal court in Brooklyn to human smuggling and receiving child sexual abuse material, capping what authorities described as a yearslong scheme that posed both national security risks and involved disturbing exploitation.

Prosecutors say Gohari turned illegal entry into a business from at least late 2020 until his arrest in May 2025, charging thousands to move Iranian nationals and others into the U.S., routing them through Turkey and Mexico, even helping secure visas through the Mexican embassy in Iran, before guiding them across the southern border with an international network.

OVER 700 IRANIAN NATIONALS RELEASED INTO US DURING BIDEN ADMINISTRATION DESPITE TERRORISM CONCERNS

At least one individual he helped enter the country had ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization. That individual was later detained by border agents and admitted to carrying out tasks for the IRGC abroad, officials said.

"As this case illustrates, we cannot protect our national security without a secure border," Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Eisenberg said. He added that Gohari "made a business of smuggling aliens into the United States," including someone linked to the IRGC.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ACCUSED OF POCKETING THOUSANDS BY SMUGGLING HUNDREDS OF ALIENS EACH WEEK FROM CANADA TO US

U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. said the defendant "exploited and endangered vulnerable individuals for profit, over and over again," while also "put[ting] our national security at risk" by helping people bypass the country’s vetting systems.

GOT A TIP?

The case took a darker turn when federal agents searched Gohari’s devices.

Authorities say they uncovered multiple videos depicting the sexual abuse of young children, including victims believed to be as young as 5 years old, as well as hundreds of photos and recordings appearing to show women being secretly filmed and followed in public places across New York City.

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"The defendant admits to helping people illegally enter the United States, including someone associated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which endangers our country’s national security," said FBI Counterterrorism Division Assistant Director Donald Holstead.

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Officials say some of the recordings appeared to be taken at close range or in a way designed to capture images under women’s clothing, and that Gohari shared some of the material with overseas accounts, including Iran, tied to the exchange of child sexual abuse content.

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"Sharon Gohari threatened our national security by selling illegal entry into the United States," said James Barnacle, Jr., assistant director in charge of the FBI’s New York Field Office, adding that the case underscores efforts to crack down on criminals exploiting U.S. borders.

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The case was investigated by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force alongside multiple federal, state and local agencies.

Gohari now faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison on the child exploitation charge and up to 20 years, in addition to a possible 10-year sentence for the smuggling offense.

Fox News Digital reached out to his attorney.

Inside the Christian border town in Lebanon that says it survived by defying Hezbollah

Tue, 12 May 2026 17:39:48 -0400

The church bells still ring in Rmeish on the Lebanon-Israel border.

While much of southern Lebanon has suffered destruction during the war between Israel and the terror group Hezbollah, the predominantly Christian border town close to Israel remained largely untouched. Churches are still standing. Homes remain intact. Residents say the village avoided Israeli strikes because locals refused to allow Hezbollah fighters to operate from inside the town.

"There was more than one attempt for them to come to the outskirts or the entrance of the village to launch rockets from there," one resident told Jusoor News. "The young men of Rmeish confronted them and prevented them from entering."

"That led to the protection of Rmeish from any Israeli attacks," the resident said. "The Israelis do not target aimlessly. They target launch sites."

HEZBOLLAH DISARMAMENT DEADLOCK RISKS CIVIL WAR, ANALYSTS SAY, AS US PREPARES FOR ISRAEL–LEBANON TALKS

The account offers a rare public glimpse into open resistance to Hezbollah inside southern Lebanon, where criticism of the Iranian-backed terrorist group is often met with accusations of treason or collaboration with Israel.

Tarek, a Christian social activist from Rmeish who spoke by phone with Fox News Digital, said residents of the town have long-faced pressure because they refused to align with Hezbollah.

"After 2000, when Israel left, we were always labeled as collaborators of Israel," Tarek said. "We suffered a lot from this stigma."

He said Hezbollah supporters accused the town of cooperating with Israel simply because it escaped the destruction seen in neighboring villages.

The interviews come as the Trump administration brokers talks between Israel and Lebanon aimed at stabilizing the border and addressing Hezbollah’s military presence in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem recently rejected any discussion about disarming the group, while U.S. officials continue pushing to strengthen the Lebanese state over the armed terror group.

Tarek argued Hezbollah’s grip on Lebanon cannot be separated from Iran.

"The Lebanese government has been ruled by Hezbollah for almost 36 years," he told Fox News Digital. "They are deeply entrenched in all arms of the government, security, army and institutions."

"If the president or prime minister says they want peace, Hezbollah will resist that," he added.

Tarek said weakening Iran is the key to weakening Hezbollah.

IRAN COULD ‘ACTIVATE’ HEZBOLLAH IF US TARGETS REGIME, TRUMP’S INNER CIRCLE TO DECIDE: EXPERT

"It’s about cutting the head of the octopus, which is the Iranian regime," he said. "Once you cut the head, Hezbollah will no longer function."

Another resident said many in the town increasingly believe "Hezbollah’s project is an Iranian project, not a Lebanese one."

Another woman from the village described living surrounded by war while trying to keep the town outside the fighting.

‘WAR FOLLOWED US’: A SYRIAN FAMILY FLED BEIRUT AFTER ISRAELI BOMBARDMENT TO FACE REPRESSION, BOMBING AT HOME

"We are in the middle, and the war surrounds us from all sides," she said. "This makes us live in a state of fear, anxiety, insecurity and instability."

A man from the village said residents had endured decades of wars that they have nothing to do with.

"We decided to remain steadfast," he said. "Where would we go?"

An older resident said his family has suffered from violence along the border since the 1970s.

"We are tired of wars," he said. "We want nothing but peace."

Despite accusations from Hezbollah supporters, residents insisted they do not regret standing up to the terrorist group.

"All accusations of treason are rejected," one resident said. "The people of Rmeish want to live safely on their land."

Another resident added: "Just because I don’t believe in your project doesn’t mean I’m a traitor."

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Ahed Al Hendi, a senior fellow at the Center for Peace Communications, told Fox News Digital that, "The defiance shown by Christians in southern Lebanon reflects a major shift in the country’s internal dynamics. For more than two decades, many Christians living near the border suffered under Hezbollah’s dominance, yet were stigmatized and often afraid to speak openly against it."

"Today," Al Hendi added, "with the changing balance of power, they are increasingly confronting Hezbollah publicly and speaking out against what they see as its tyranny."

Trump warns Iran ceasefire on ‘life support’ as US weighs military options if talks fail

Sat, 09 May 2026 10:13:53 -0400

President Donald Trump warned Monday that the fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran may be on the verge of collapse, casting new urgency over what a renewed conflict could look like as negotiations appear to be breaking down over Tehran’s nuclear program.

"I would say the ceasefire is on massive life support where the doctor walks in and says, 'Sir, your loved one has approximately a 1% chance of living,'" Trump told reporters, signaling deep skepticism that current diplomacy will hold.

The comments came after Trump rejected an Iranian-backed proposal that focused on ending the U.S. blockade while delaying more difficult negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program — an approach the administration appears to view as unacceptable.

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

"I have a plan. Iran can't have a nuclear weapon," Trump said in the Oval Office.

Trump also said U.S. officials believed Iran had previously agreed to relinquish its stockpile of enriched uranium — a key demand in the talks — but that Iran’s latest response omitted any reference to the issue, raising concerns the Iranian position may have shifted.

At the same time, Trump suggested divisions within Iran’s leadership could be complicating negotiations, describing factions within the regime as split between "moderates and lunatics."

The breakdown underscores how quickly the current ceasefire could unravel — and how rapidly the U.S. could pivot back to military options if diplomacy fails.

If negotiations with Iran collapse, the U.S. may move quickly back to attacks on Iran’s military capabilities — a campaign analysts say would begin with missile systems, naval assets and command networks before escalating to more controversial targets.

Negotiators are still working toward what officials describe as a preliminary framework agreement — effectively a one-page starting point for broader talks centered on Iran’s nuclear program and potential sanctions relief. But deep mistrust on both sides has left the process fragile, raising the stakes if diplomacy fails.

"We’re not starting at zero," retired Army Col. Seth Krummrich, a former Joint Staff planner and current Vice President at Global Guardian, told Fox News Digital. "We’re both starting at minus 1,000 because neither side trusts each other at all. This is going to be a pretty hard process going forward."

That tension was on display Thursday, when a senior U.S. official confirmed American forces struck Iran’s Qeshm port and Bandar Abbas — key locations near the Strait of Hormuz — while insisting the operation did not mark a restart of the war or the end of the ceasefire.

The strike on one of Iran’s oil ports came two days after Iran launched 15 ballistic and cruise missiles at the UAE’s Fujairah Port, drawing anger from Gulf allies. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine said earlier this week the attack did not rise to the level of breaking the ceasefire, describing it as a low-level strike.

Trump repeatedly has warned that if negotiations collapse, the U.S. could resume bombing Iran — even signaling before the recent ceasefire was implemented that Washington could target the country’s energy infrastructure and key economic assets. But any escalation would likely unfold in phases, beginning with efforts to dismantle Iran’s ability to project force across the region before expanding to more controversial targets.

If talks break down, any renewed conflict would likely become a "contest for escalation control," where Iran seeks to impose costs without provoking regime-threatening retaliation while the U.S. works to strip away Tehran’s remaining leverage, according to retired Air Force Lt. Gen. David Deptula.

"The capabilities that would come into focus are the ones Iran uses to generate coercive leverage: ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, air defense systems, maritime strike assets, command-and-control networks, IRGC infrastructure, proxy support channels, and nuclear-related facilities," he said, referring to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.

"The military objective would be less about punishment and more about denying Iran the tools it uses to escalate," he said.

"President Trump has all the cards, and he wisely keeps all options on the table to ensure that Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon," White House spokesperson Olivia Wales told Fox News Digital.

The Pentagon could not immediately be reached for comment.

One early focus could be Iran’s fleet of fast attack boats in the Strait of Hormuz — a central component of Tehran’s ability to threaten global shipping in one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.

RP Newman, a military and terrorism analyst and Marine Corps veteran, said leaving much of that fleet intact during earlier strikes was a mistake.

"We’ve blown up six of them," he said. "They’ve got about 400 left."

The small, fast-moving boats are a key part of Iran’s asymmetric maritime strategy, capable of harassing commercial tankers and U.S. naval forces — and could quickly become a priority target in any renewed campaign.

Much of Iran’s core military structure also remains intact.

INSIDE IRAN’S MILITARY: MISSILES, MILITIAS AND A FORCE BUILT FOR SURVIVAL

Newman said "we’ve only killed less than one percent of IRGC troops," leaving a large portion of the force still capable of carrying out operations. He estimated the group "numbers between 150 and 190,000."

But targeting the IRGC is far more complex than eliminating senior leadership.

"They’re not just a group of leaders at the top that you can kill away," Krummrich said. "Over 47 years it’s percolated down to every level."

Retired Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies policy institute, said Washington may continue tightening economic pressure before broadening military action, arguing the U.S. should "squeeze them for at least another three to six weeks" before considering more aggressive escalation.

"You could have blown Kharg Island back to smithereens," Krummrich said, referring to Iran’s primary oil export terminal in the Persian Gulf. "But what the planner said was, no — what we can do is a maritime blockade. It will have the same effect."

Iran has continued moving crude through covert shipping networks and ship-to-ship transfers, with tanker trackers reporting millions of barrels still reaching markets in recent weeks.

A CIA analysis found Iran may be able to sustain those pressures for another three to four months before facing more severe economic strain, according to a report by The Washington Post.

The question is how far a U.S. campaign could expand if initial pressure fails to force concessions.

Trump has signaled a willingness to go further, warning before the ceasefire that the U.S. could "completely obliterate" Iran’s electric generating plants, oil infrastructure and key export hubs such as Kharg Island if a deal is not reached.

"You don’t do that at first," Montgomery said, describing strikes on dual-use infrastructure as a conditional step dependent on Iran’s response.

Targeting dual-use infrastructure presents significant legal and operational challenges.

"I've got 500 people standing on my target. You can't hit that," Newman said.

Such decisions carry political and legal risks, particularly given the likelihood of international scrutiny.

Broader infrastructure strikes also could create long-term instability if they push Iran toward internal collapse.

"In the short term, it might help. But in the long term, we’re all going to have to deal with it," Krummrich said. "Once you pull that lever, you're basically pushing Iran closer to the edge of the abyss."

A collapse of state authority could create a failed-state scenario across the Strait of Hormuz, with armed groups, drones and missiles operating unchecked in one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.

Even some of the most discussed military options — such as seizing Iran’s highly enriched uranium — would be extremely difficult to execute.

"That's much harder than it sounds," said Montgomery.

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Such a mission would likely take months, and require engineers, technicians and heavy excavation equipment, in addition to thousands of U.S. operators providing continuous air coverage.

"When you start to stack that up, that becomes resource intensive and high risk — not even high, extreme risk," said Krummrich.