State Department – War Watch

Hezbollah | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East | Miller, Aaron David | Netanyahu, Benjamin | Nuclear weapons | State Department | Strait of Hormuz | Trump, Donald J | United States Defense and Military Forces | United States International Relations | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

Trump Wants to Call the Shots. But in Iran, He Keeps Hitting His Limits.
ByAnton Troianovski June 8, 2026

President Trump is grappling with his own version of the sort of Middle East crisis that beset his predecessors, and that he promised to avoid.

Read More Trump Wants to Call the Shots. But in Iran, He Keeps Hitting His Limits.
Beirut (Lebanon) | Defense and Military Forces | Hezbollah | International Relations | Iran | Iran-Israel Proxy Conflict | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Lebanon | Netanyahu, Benjamin | Qassem, Naim | State Department | Trump, Donald J | United States | United States International Relations | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | War and Armed Conflicts

Israel and Lebanon Renew Cease-Fire, Calling for Evacuation of Hezbollah Operatives
ByEphrat Livni June 4, 2026June 4, 2026

The agreement places the onus on Hezbollah to halt attacks, while demanding few immediate concessions from Israel. The cease-fire could remove an obstacle in the talks between the United States and Iran.

Read More Israel and Lebanon Renew Cease-Fire, Calling for Evacuation of Hezbollah Operatives
Beirut (Lebanon) | Hezbollah | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | State Department | United States | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | War and Armed Conflicts

Hezbollah Ally Says the Iran-Backed Group Wants a New Truce With Israel
ByChristina Goldbaum June 1, 2026June 1, 2026

In an interview with The Times, Nabih Berri, an influential Lebanese lawmaker close to Hezbollah, called on President Trump to broker a new cease-fire.

Read More Hezbollah Ally Says the Iran-Backed Group Wants a New Truce With Israel
Antalya (Turkey) | International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) | Iran | Iran-Israel War (2025- ) | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Soccer | State Department | Tijuana (Mexico) | Tucson (Ariz) | United States | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | Visas | War and Armed Conflicts | World Cup 2026 (Soccer)

Iran’s Team Trains in Limbo for World Cup Overshadowed by War
ByTariq Panja May 30, 2026May 30, 2026

The Iranian soccer players, still awaiting visas to the U.S., are practicing in Turkey and making backup plans.

Read More Iran’s Team Trains in Limbo for World Cup Overshadowed by War
Albanese, Francesca P | Embargoes and Sanctions | Gallant, Yoav | International Criminal Court | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza War (2023- ) | Israel–Iran War | Netanyahu, Benjamin | Rubio, Marco | State Department | United Nations | United States International Relations

U.N. Official Who Says U.S. Punished Her for Speech Wins a Round in Court
ByEphrat Livni May 21, 2026

The government has appealed a judge’s ruling that it violated the free speech rights of Francesca Albanese, who was sanctioned for speaking out against Israel.

Read More U.N. Official Who Says U.S. Punished Her for Speech Wins a Round in Court
Caine, John Daniel (1968- ) | Defense Department | Hegseth, Pete | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East | Rubio, Marco | Ships and Shipping | State Department | Strait of Hormuz | Trump, Donald J | United States Defense and Military Forces | United States International Relations | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

Trump and Rubio Insist Iran War Is Over, Even as Missiles Fly During Cease-Fire
ByDavid E. Sanger May 6, 2026May 6, 2026

The White House is turning to rhetorical leaps as President Trump tries to put the biggest political crisis of his presidency behind him.

Read More Trump and Rubio Insist Iran War Is Over, Even as Missiles Fly During Cease-Fire
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.