Defense Secretary testifies as war powers dispute deepens over conflict authority
War powers clock dispute escalates as Congress challenges administration's conflict authority interpretation.
Event / Conflict
Iran-US Gulf Conflict
Ongoing military tensions between Iran and the United States centered on the Strait of Hormuz, involving naval blockades, missile strikes, ceasefires, and diplomatic negotiations over nuclear capabilities and regional security.
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2026-08-17 to 2026-11-14 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 12 Apr, 00:37 UTC
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What happened
Israel continues military strikes in southern Lebanon despite ceasefire negotiations
Israel pressed ahead with military strikes in southern Lebanon, killing at least three people. The Israeli military conducted more than 200 strikes against Hezbollah-affiliated targets in Lebanon within 24 hours. Israel and the United States maintain that any ceasefire agreement does not include a halt to Israeli operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
US begins military operation to clear mines from Strait of Hormuz
President Trump announced on Saturday that the United States is beginning operations to clear the Strait of Hormuz as a service to countries worldwide including China, Japan, South Korea, France, and Germany. Trump criticized these nations for lacking the courage or will to conduct the operation themselves.
Strait of Hormuz remains largely blocked by Iranian mines and shipping disruptions
Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz has severely disrupted global energy shipments. Only 12 commercial vessels passed through on April 11 compared to the pre-war average of more than 100 ships daily. US officials report Iran cannot locate all the mines it deployed in the strait, hampering Iran's ability to comply with American demands to reopen it. Before the conflict, approximately one-fifth of world's traded oil passed through the strait.
President Trump states Iran has no negotiating leverage in peace talks
President Donald Trump posted on social media that Iranian officials have no cards to negotiate with and accused them of using the Strait of Hormuz for extortion. Trump stated that the only reason Iran remains alive is to negotiate and that the United States is optimistic about the talks while warning that if Iran attempts to play the US, the negotiating team will be unreceptive.
US delegation includes Trump envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner
The US delegation to ceasefire negotiations in Pakistan includes US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner alongside Vice President JD Vance. The delegation was received by Pakistani senior officials at Nur Khan airbase.
Brent crude oil price reaches $97 per barrel, up 30% since war began
The spot price of Brent crude, the international standard for oil prices, reached approximately $97 per barrel on Friday, April 10, 2026, representing an increase of more than 30% since the start of the conflict on February 28, 2026. The price surge reflects global energy market disruption caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Qalibaf leads Iranian delegation to Pakistan for ceasefire negotiations
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf led the Iranian delegation to Islamabad, Pakistan for peace talks. The Iranian delegation included more than a dozen senior officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, senior security officials, and Iran's central bank governor.
Two-week ceasefire between US-Iran war remains fragile with disputed terms
A two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran is in place but appears fragile with both sides accusing each other of violations. The US claims Iran has not opened the Strait of Hormuz as agreed, with only minimal vessel traffic passing through. Iran demands a ceasefire in Lebanon and release of blocked assets as conditions for meaningful negotiations.
Regional war has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran and nearly 2,000 in Lebanon
The war between Iran and US-backed forces has resulted in at least 3,000 deaths in Iran, 1,953 deaths in Lebanon, 23 deaths in Israel, and more than a dozen deaths in Gulf Arab states. The conflict has largely cut off the Persian Gulf from global economy and damaged infrastructure in multiple countries.
Iran Foreign Minister warns of retaliation if attacked during negotiations
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran was entering negotiations with deep distrust stemming from prior strikes on Iran during previous rounds of talks. Araghchi said Iran was prepared to retaliate if it was attacked again during the current negotiations.
US Vice President JD Vance arrives in Islamabad for ceasefire talks with Iran
US Vice President JD Vance arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan on Saturday, April 11, 2026, to lead negotiations with Iran on converting a two-week ceasefire into lasting peace. Vance was received by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at Nur Khan airbase and met with Sharif according to the Prime Minister's office.
Israel and Lebanon to begin direct negotiations in Washington
Direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon are scheduled to begin on Tuesday in Washington. Israel seeks to pressure the Lebanese government to assume responsibility for disarming Hezbollah, similar to provisions in a November 2024 ceasefire agreement.
Iran blocks Strait of Hormuz, reducing global oil passage
Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz has significantly restricted commercial shipping. Before the conflict, approximately one-fifth of the world's traded oil passed through the strait daily on more than 100 ships. With the ceasefire in place, only 12 ships have been recorded traversing the strait, effectively cutting off oil, natural gas, and fertilizer exports from the Persian Gulf.
War death toll reaches thousands across multiple countries
The war that began on February 28 has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, 1,953 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel, and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. The conflict has lasted seven weeks as of the ceasefire announcement.
United States and Iran begin negotiations in Pakistan
The United States and Iran began negotiations in Islamabad on Saturday, led by U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf. The talks occurred days after a two-week ceasefire was announced, with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif meeting separately with both delegations before the three-party talks commenced.
Israel continues strikes on Lebanese Hezbollah positions
Israel pressed ahead with strikes in Lebanon despite the ceasefire between the United States and Iran. The Lebanese state-run news agency reported at least three people killed in airstrikes on Saturday. Israel's continuation of military operations against Hezbollah threatens the broader ceasefire agreement.
Iran presents ten-point peace proposal with key demands
Iran's delegation presented a 10-point proposal that calls for a guaranteed end to the war, control over the Strait of Hormuz, compensation for damage caused by U.S.-Israeli strikes, release of Iran's frozen assets, and a halt to Israeli strikes on Hezbollah. The Iranian delegation characterized some elements as 'red lines' in negotiations.
Two-week ceasefire holds in U.S.-Iran war
A fragile two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran remains in effect as of Saturday. The ceasefire was announced after Iranian preconditions were met, including a reduction in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon.
Brent crude oil price surges above $94 per barrel
The spot price of Brent crude, the international standard for oil prices, reached above $94 on Saturday, representing an increase of more than 30% since the war began on February 28.
Infrastructure damage reported across Middle Eastern countries
Attacks during the seven-week war have caused lasting damage to infrastructure across half a dozen countries in the Middle East, with extensive destruction documented in Iran, Lebanon, and other regional states.
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2 alternative perspectives
Ceasefire Holds While US Blockade Continues Despite Peace Talks
Ceasefire declared, but US blockade of Iranian ports continues, creating dispute over violation terms.
Ceasefire Ambiguity Fuels Dispute Over Maritime Actions and Agreement Terms
Ceasefire ambiguity fuels US-Iran disputes over maritime actions without written agreement clarifying permitted activities.
US expands maritime enforcement operations to Pacific theater
US maritime enforcement expands to Pacific as Pentagon interdicts Iran-linked vessels globally.
EU ministers convene on energy crisis as global oil prices surge
EU ministers meet to address energy crisis as oil prices exceed $100 per barrel from Strait of Hormuz disruptions.
U.S. blockade of Iranian ports raises international law questions amid stalled talks
U.S. blockade of Iranian ports invokes international law to justify restricting Strait navigation during stalled peace talks.
Trump extends ceasefire indefinitely as diplomatic obstacles mount
Trump extends ceasefire indefinitely as Iran's divided leadership and mutual violation accusations complicate peace prospects.
Blockade triggers global economic cascade as oil, food supplies squeeze
Iranian blockade pushes oil above $100, gasoline to $4.12, and threatens global food supplies.
Israel launches ground offensive into southern Lebanon amid regional tensions
Israeli troops attack southern Lebanon town while ceasefire negotiations continue and casualty tolls mount across the region.
Nuclear impasse deepens as diplomacy stalls over Iran weapons demand
US-Iran nuclear dispute blocks peace deal as ceasefire deadline approaches and military tensions escalate.
Trump declares blockade as military tensions spike in Strait
Trump announces blockade of Iranian ports as U.S. military clears mines from the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating military tensions.
Israeli airstrikes kill civilians as Lebanon negotiations begin
Israel's Maaroub airstrike kills six civilians as scheduled Lebanon talks begin April 15.