State Department – War Watch

Arms trade | Defense and Military Forces | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kuwait | Middle East | Missiles and Missile Defense Systems | Qatar | Rubio, Marco | State Department | United Arab Emirates | United States International Relations | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

U.S. Fast-Tracks Arms Deals Valued at $8.6 Billion to Mideast Partners
ByAaron Boxerman and Edward Wong May 2, 2026May 2, 2026

The Persian Gulf countries and Israel have faced repeated Iranian attacks during the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. The State Department move bypassed congressional review.

Read More U.S. Fast-Tracks Arms Deals Valued at $8.6 Billion to Mideast Partners
Blinken, Antony J | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kerry, John | Kissinger, Henry A | National Security Council | Rubio, Marco | State Department | Trump, Donald J | United States International Relations | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | Witkoff, Steven

Rubio’s Absence From Iran Talks Highlights Stay-at-Home Role
ByMichael Crowley April 25, 2026April 25, 2026

President Trump has outsourced much of his diplomacy to others, while Mr. Rubio focuses on his second job as national security adviser.

Read More Rubio’s Absence From Iran Talks Highlights Stay-at-Home Role
Infantino, Gianni | International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Rubio, Marco | Soccer | State Department | Trump, Donald J | United States | United States International Relations | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | War and Armed Conflicts | World Cup (Soccer) | Zampolli, Paolo

Rubio Says Iran’s Soccer Team Can Attend World Cup
ByQasim Nauman April 24, 2026April 24, 2026

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that while the players were welcome, anyone accompanying them who has links to the Iranian military would be denied entry.

Read More Rubio Says Iran’s Soccer Team Can Attend World Cup
Defense and Military Forces | Hezbollah | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Lebanon | Politics and Government | State Department | United States | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

Hezbollah Is Willing to Cooperate With a Cease-Fire With Israel. For Now.
ByPranav Baskar April 18, 2026April 19, 2026

The leader of the Iran-backed militia said that a more durable cease-fire with Israel would require the fulfillment of a list of longstanding demands.

Read More Hezbollah Is Willing to Cooperate With a Cease-Fire With Israel. For Now.
Beirut (Lebanon) | Dahiya (Lebanon) | Defense and Military Forces | Hezbollah | International Relations | Iran | Iran-Israel Proxy Conflict | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Lebanon | Netanyahu, Benjamin | State Department | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | War and Armed Conflicts

Israel-Lebanon Cease-Fire: What to Know
ByLynsey Chutel April 17, 2026April 20, 2026

The pause in fighting would remove a major hindrance to the U.S.-Iran peace talks, if it holds. New talks are set for Thursday in Washington.

Read More Israel-Lebanon Cease-Fire: What to Know
Hezbollah | International Relations | Iran | Iran-Israel War (2025- ) | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Katz, Israel (1955- ) | Netanyahu, Benjamin | State Department | Trump, Donald J | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | Vance, J D | Washington DC

Marco Rubio and Lebanese President Discuss Cease-Fire Efforts
ByFrancesca Regalado April 16, 2026April 16, 2026

President Trump had said that Israeli and Lebanese leaders would speak directly, but a Lebanese official said the country’s president had rejected the idea.

Read More Marco Rubio and Lebanese President Discuss Cease-Fire Efforts
Conservatism (US Politics) | Deportation | Homeland Security Department | Immigration and Customs Enforcement (US) | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kidnapping and Hostages | Los Angeles (Calif) | Rubio, Marco | State Department | Trump, Donald J | United States International Relations | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

U.S. Moves to Deport Son of Prominent Figure in Iranian Revolution
ByMichael Crowley April 11, 2026April 11, 2026

Federal agents arrested a man whose mother served as a spokeswoman for the Islamist embassy captors during the hostage crisis that began in 1979.

Read More U.S. Moves to Deport Son of Prominent Figure in Iranian Revolution
Araghchi, Abbas | China | Economic Conditions and Trends | France | Ghalibaf, Mohammad Baqer | Hezbollah | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamabad (Pakistan) | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kushner, Jared | Netanyahu, Benjamin | Pakistan | Peace Process | State Department | Trump, Donald J | United States International Relations | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | Vance, J D | Witkoff, Steven

World Leaders Push to Save Iran Talks Amid Israel’s Attacks in Lebanon
ByMichael Crowley April 11, 2026April 11, 2026

President Trump’s cease-fire with Iran appears at risk as Vice President JD Vance heads to Pakistan for discussions with Iranian officials.

Read More World Leaders Push to Save Iran Talks Amid Israel’s Attacks in Lebanon
Government Efficiency Department (US) | India | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kushner, Jared | Leavitt, Karoline | Modi, Narendra | Musk, Elon | Politics and Government | Starlink Satellite Constellation (SpaceX) | State Department | Tesla Motors Inc | Trump, Donald J | United States | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

Elon Musk Joins in Phone Call Between Donald Trump and Narendra Modi
ByEdward Wong, Theodore Schleifer, Tyler Pager and Ryan Mac March 27, 2026

Mr. Musk’s participation was notable because it is rare for a private citizen to be on a call between heads of state. It also suggests that Mr. Musk is back on better terms with the president.

Read More Elon Musk Joins in Phone Call Between Donald Trump and Narendra Modi
Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kushner, Jared | Middle East | Rubio, Marco | State Department | Trump, Donald J | United States International Relations | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | Vance, J D | Witkoff, Steven

Standoff With Iran Raises Fresh Doubts About Trump’s Freestyle Diplomacy
ByMichael Crowley March 26, 2026March 26, 2026

A jumble of emissaries — a friend, a family member, a dove and a hawk — on the Iran crisis reflects President Trump’s improvisational approach.

Read More Standoff With Iran Raises Fresh Doubts About Trump’s Freestyle Diplomacy