Energy Secretary Chris Wright said talks with Iran are moving and that pressure from the White House is part of the game. The Strait of Hormuz, meanwhile, keeps doing what chokepoints do best: making everyone nervous.
Iran’s rulers turned a messianic belief into a political system. That blend of faith, force, and state control still shapes how the regime sees its enemies and its mission.
Reports of tanker tolls in the Strait of Hormuz have sparked a new round of warnings from Washington, as officials argue over whether the waterway is open or only open in the way government statements are often “open.”
JD Vance is set to lead the U.S. side in talks tied to Iran’s nuclear program, with Washington warning that pressure is still on the table if the deal goes sideways.
Iran is accused of pressuring tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, and Trump says that violates the deal. The White House says the lane is still open, but shipping data and market nerves tell a messier story.
Trump says CNN ran a false Iran ceasefire headline from a shaky source, then demanded a correction. CNN says the statement came from Iranian officials, which is a neat reminder that the internet can turn confusion into a global sport.
Pete Hegseth said the next round of U.S. strikes on Iran would be the largest yet, while Trump warned of even harsher action if Tehran did not meet U.S. demands. The White House used a rescue mission and a fast-moving deadline to sell the message.
Sen. Chris Murphy attacked Trump over an Iran post, then got reminded of his own 2024 praise for Joe Biden. The old clip made the senator’s alarm bell sound a little less like principle and a little more like costume jewelry.