29 mins ago

Pinned

Former CIA station chief warns Hezbollah remains a threat to Israel, US interests

Former CIA station chief Dan Hoffman warned Saturday that Hezbollah continues to pose a significant threat to both Israel and U.S. interests in the Middle East despite ongoing negotiations involving Iran.

Speaking on "Life, Liberty & Levin," Hoffman said Hezbollah remains one of Iran's primary tools for projecting power throughout the region.

"Iran has used Hezbollah, the Houthis, their proxy militants in Iraq to project power in the region and beyond," Hoffman said.

Hoffman argued that Hezbollah's influence in Lebanon continues to create security risks for Israel and for American personnel stationed throughout the Middle East.

"That's what causes Israel to be at great risk, but not just Israel, it's U.S. installations and our people in the region and beyond," Hoffman said.

The former CIA official also warned that any agreement with Iran should not leave Hezbollah in a position to rebuild its military capabilities.

"The last thing we want is for Hezbollah to emerge from any deal that we have with Iran in a position to rearm and reconstitute," Hoffman said.

The comments come as Israel and Hezbollah exchange new attacks despite a ceasefire agreement that is tied to broader negotiations involving the United States and Iran.

Posted by Brittany Miller

12 mins ago

US forces continue air patrols as Iran talks move forward: CENTCOM

U.S. Central Command on Saturday highlighted the continued presence of American military aircraft in the Middle East as negotiations involving Iran move forward in Switzerland.

In a post on X, CENTCOM shared an image showing a U.S. Air Force F-35 stealth fighter being refueled midair by a KC-135 Stratotanker.

"A U.S. Air Force F-35 stealth fighter jet is refueled over the Middle East by a KC-135 Stratotanker," CENTCOM wrote. "U.S. forces continue to routinely patrol the skies."

The post comes as U.S. and Iranian negotiators gather in Switzerland to discuss implementation of the agreement reached earlier this week.

Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, U.S. military forces remain active across the region amid continued tensions involving Iran, Israel and Hezbollah.

Posted by Brittany Miller

1 hour ago

Iran restarts crude exports from key terminal after weeks-long halt: report

Iran has resumed crude oil exports from its main export terminal after a roughly six-week pause, according to a Bloomberg report published Saturday.

The outlet reported that loading operations have restarted at Kharg Island, Iran's primary oil export hub, as implementation of the agreement between Washington and Tehran gets underway.

Iran has already moved about 20 million barrels of crude using tankers that remained in the region during the disruption, Bloomberg reported.

Some international shipping companies remain cautious about transiting the Strait of Hormuz because of security concerns, according to the report.

At least 20 tankers remain anchored east of Kharg Island, suggesting additional crude shipments could follow if conditions in the Persian Gulf remain stable, Bloomberg said.

Posted by Brittany Miller

2 hours ago

Switzerland says Iranian delegation has arrived for talks

Swiss officials on Saturday confirmed the arrival of the Iranian delegation ahead of talks tied to implementation of the agreement between the United States and Iran.

In a post on X, Switzerland's foreign ministry welcomed the delegation and said Iranian officials were traveling to Bürgenstock, where discussions are expected to take place.

"We welcome the arrival of the Iranian delegation in Switzerland," the ministry wrote.

The ministry said the delegation was heading to Bürgenstock "as part of the implementation of the MoU signed between the United States and Iran."

The announcement comes as Vice President JD Vance and other officials travel to Switzerland for the next phase of negotiations aimed at advancing the agreement reached earlier this week.

Posted by Brittany Miller

2 hours ago

Pakistan PM Sharif to join Switzerland talks on US-Iran agreement

Pakistan announced Saturday that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir will participate in technical-level talks in Switzerland tied to the agreement between the United States and Iran.

In a statement posted on X, Pakistan's Prime Minister's Office said the discussions will take place June 21 in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, as a follow-up to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

The office said Sharif and a high-level delegation have departed Islamabad for Switzerland ahead of the talks.

"Technical-level talks will be held in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, on 21 June 2026," the Prime Minister's Office said.

The announcement comes as Vice President JD Vance travels to Switzerland to join the next round of U.S.-Iran negotiations, with Iranian negotiators also arriving for discussions aimed at implementing the agreement reached earlier this week.

Posted by Brittany Miller

4 hours ago

Vance: 'Things are actually getting better' in Lebanon despite new violence

Vice President JD Vance said Saturday that conditions in Lebanon have improved despite renewed clashes between Israel and Hezbollah.

"Despite the headlines, things are actually getting better there," Vance told reporters before departing for Switzerland.

Vance acknowledged that sporadic violence remains a challenge but argued that the focus remains on preventing further escalation and preserving the ceasefire.

"The big problem is that somebody will shoot and then somebody will respond," Vance said. "You've just got to stop the shooting for long enough to get the ceasefire to hold."

Vance said progress on the Lebanon ceasefire and Iran's nuclear program would be two of the primary goals of the upcoming negotiations in Switzerland.

"I think we're hopefully making progress on the nuclear issue, make progress on the Lebanon ceasefire issue," he said. "Those are the two big things that I think we'll be focused on."

Posted by Brittany Miller

4 hours ago

Vance: 'The Iranians just landed' as Switzerland talks get underway

Vice President JD Vance said Saturday that Iranian negotiators have arrived in Switzerland as the next round of talks between Washington and Tehran gets underway.

"Our understanding is that the Iranians just landed," Vance told reporters before departing for Switzerland from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.

Vance said U.S., Pakistani, Qatari and Iranian representatives would spend the coming days working through technical issues tied to the negotiations.

"We'll have a couple of days of talks to try to get this thing kicked off in the right way," Vance said. "There's a lot to discuss, but we're going to go through it all."

The vice president is traveling to Switzerland to join discussions aimed at implementing the agreement reached earlier this week between the United States and Iran

Posted by Brittany Miller

Breaking News5 hours ago

Vance departs for Switzerland as Iran negotiations continue

Vice President JD Vance departed Saturday for Switzerland, where he is expected to join the next round of negotiations between the United States and Iran.

Vance's trip comes as U.S. officials work to build on this week's ceasefire agreement and pursue a longer-term arrangement with Tehran.

White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are already involved in discussions in Switzerland, where diplomats from multiple countries have gathered to support the talks.

Earlier Saturday, Vance told Fox News that he expected to travel to Switzerland in the coming days and said discussions were progressing.

The negotiations are taking place as tensions remain elevated across the region, including renewed fighting between Israel and Hezbollah and ongoing disputes over shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.

Posted by Brittany Miller

5 hours ago

Experts warn Iran may use Hezbollah to pressure US during talks

Foreign policy experts on Fox News on Saturday warned that Iran could be using Hezbollah's renewed attacks against Israel to test the durability of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement and ongoing negotiations.

Hudson Institute senior fellow Rebeccah Heinrichs said Tehran appears to be using its Lebanese proxy to gauge how far the United States is willing to go in supporting Israel's right to respond to attacks.

"Hezbollah is bought and paid for by the Iranians," Heinrichs said, arguing that Iran may be trying to determine whether Washington will pressure Israel to show restraint in order to preserve the broader agreement.

Foundation for Defense of Democracies senior director Behnam Ben Taleblu echoed those concerns, saying there has been little evidence that Iran has fundamentally changed its behavior despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.

"They're going to continue this incremental escalation via their chief terrorist proxy, Lebanese Hezbollah, against Israel," Ben Taleblu said.

The comments came after the Israel Defense Forces said Hezbollah launched more than 50 projectiles at Israeli forces operating in southern Lebanon overnight, raising new questions about whether violence elsewhere in the region could complicate efforts to reach a longer-term agreement between Washington and Tehran

Posted by Brittany Miller

6 hours ago

Esper warns Iran threats could still choke Strait of Hormuz traffic

Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Saturday that while Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz, its threats alone could still disrupt shipping traffic through the critical waterway.

Esper's comments came amid conflicting claims about conditions in the strait after Iran said it had closed the route, while U.S. officials pushed back on that assertion.

Vice President JD Vance told Fox News earlier Saturday that the Trump administration was not seeing evidence that Iran was still closing the Strait of Hormuz, noting that roughly 16 million barrels of oil moved through the waterway over the past 24 hours.

Esper said the bigger concern is whether Iran continues threatening commercial shipping, which could discourage insurers, ship owners, captains and crews from operating in the area.

"As long as they have a threat and they act on it, they're going to scare away the insurance companies, they're going to scare away the ship's captains, they're going to scare away the ship's owners, and they're going to scare away the crews," Esper said.

Esper noted that U.S. officials still need to clear sea mines from the area and said commercial traffic may take time to recover. While 55 ships transited the strait Saturday, according to CENTCOM, Esper said pre-war traffic typically ranged from roughly 135 to 150 vessels per day.

"We'll know more in the next few hours what happens," Esper said, adding that upcoming talks in Switzerland could provide a clearer indication of whether Iran intends to honor the ceasefire and move forward with negotiations.

Posted by Brittany Miller

Breaking News6 hours ago

Trump says there will be no Strait of Hormuz tolls during ceasefire

President Donald Trump said Saturday that there will be no tolls imposed in the Strait of Hormuz during the 60-day ceasefire period between the United States and Iran.

"There will be NO TOLLS in the Hormuz Strait for 60 days during the Cease Fire Period," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump added that no tolls would be imposed after the 60-day period expires unless they are levied by the United States if negotiations fail to produce a final agreement.

The president said any future tolls would serve as reimbursement for what he described as America's role as the "Guardian Angel" of Middle Eastern nations and for past, present and future security costs.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important shipping lanes and a critical route for global oil exports. The comments come as the Trump administration continues negotiations with Iran following this week's ceasefire agreement.

Posted by Brittany Miller

6 hours ago

Israel identifies 2 IDF soldiers killed in southern Lebanon

Israel's Foreign Ministry on Saturday identified two IDF soldiers killed during fighting in southern Lebanon amid renewed clashes with Hezbollah.

The ministry said Staff Sgt. Yoav Klein, 21, of Herzliya, served in the 52nd Battalion of the 401st Brigade. Sgt. First Class Nir Ben Ari, 21, of Kerem Maharal, served in the Maglan Unit of the Commando Brigade.

"We mourn the loss of two IDF soldiers who fell in combat in southern Lebanon," Israel's Foreign Ministry wrote in a post on X. "Our hearts are with their family and loved ones."

The announcement comes as violence has intensified along the Israel-Lebanon border despite a ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and the Iran-backed terrorist group Hezbollah.

A senior Israeli official told Fox News earlier Saturday that Hezbollah launched more than 50 projectiles at Israeli forces operating in southern Lebanon overnight. The official also said five IDF soldiers have been killed over the past 48 hours in Hezbollah attacks.

Posted by Brittany Miller

7 hours ago

Hezbollah attacks killed 5 IDF soldiers after ceasefire took effect: official

A senior IDF official told Fox News that Hezbollah launched more than 50 rockets at Israeli troops operating in southern Lebanon overnight, calling the attacks "continuous and repeated violations" of the ceasefire agreement reached.

The official said five IDF soldiers have been killed by Hezbollah attacks over the past 48 hours.

Israeli forces are operating near Tebnit to target what the IDF describes as extensive Hezbollah infrastructure, including underground tunnels stretching more than a kilometer deep and spanning hundreds of kilometers. The area serves as a major stronghold for Hezbollah's Badr Unit, according to the official.

IDF troops continue operating against threats above and below ground in the area. The military has received updated directives from Israel's political leadership regarding the ceasefire and is acting "in a defensive manner" within the security zone rather than conducting proactive strikes, the official said.

Any Israeli response is being carried out under directives from the political echelon, with the IDF maintaining the right to respond if Hezbollah continues targeting Israeli troops or civilians.

Fox News Digital's Yonat Friling contributed to this report.

Posted by Brittany Miller

7 hours ago

Meloni defends Italy's approach to Iran war amid Trump's renewed criticism

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Saturday that she always acts to “defend Italy's national interest” after President Donald Trump accused her country of not helping the U.S. in the war against Iran. 

Trump wrote earlier Saturday on Truth Social that Meloni “is doing poorly in Italy with her level of popularity, possibly because she turned down the United States of America, a Country that truly loves and protects Italy, when it came to denying Iran from obtaining or developing a Nuclear Weapon (But so did NATO, for that matter!).”  

“She wouldn’t even let us use Italy’s landing strips or runways, a great logistical inconvenience, and this despite the fact the U.S. contributes hundreds of Billions of Dollars a year to protect Italy, and other ‘so-called’ NATO Allies,” Trump continued. “Now, after the United States defeated Iran militarily, she wants to be friends again in order to get her ‘numbers up.’ No thanks!!!” 

In a response, Meloni said, “President Trump, these constant, unprovoked attacks are senseless.” 

“As for my popularity, being your friend certainly has not helped it, nor does it depend on my relationship with you. My popularity depends on my ability to defend Italy's national interest, and that is exactly what I have always done,” she continued.  

“That is also what I did regarding the American military bases in Italy. Their use is governed by agreements that we have always respected, and that cannot be violated as long as I am Prime Minister,” Meloni also said. “Italy remains a sovereign nation. In any case, my popularity is none of your concern. I suggest you focus on yours.” 

Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond

8 hours ago

Trump says Iran deal 'probably is unconditional surrender,' describes covert maritime operation

President Donald Trump is revealing new details surrounding the United States’ negotiations with Iran just days after both countries signed a memorandum of understanding calling for the war to end. 

In an interview with Axios’ Marc Caputo published Thursday, Trump weighed in on the 14-point MOU between the two countries and pushed back on claims that the agreement is not the same as an unconditional surrender from Iran. 

"Well, it really probably is unconditional surrender," Trump said. 

"Is it?" Caputo questioned.

"I think so," Trump replied. "Look, they have no military. They're all at the bottom of the sea. 159 ships. That's what they had." 

According to Trump, the U.S. spent nearly two months wiping out Iran’s ships in a covert, overnight operation. 

"Do you know that for the last two months, I've been taking many ships out there and nobody knew it," Trump continued. "You know why they didn't know it? Because we knocked out their radar. We knocked out all of their defensive stuff and they were unable to see. Last week we had one night, 25 ships. One night, 22. One night, 19. One night, 21. So every night all these ships out." 

Posted by Julia Bonavita

9 hours ago

Iran can't close Strait of Hormuz because 'US controls it,' official says

A senior U.S. defense official told Fox News on Saturday that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed to have closed the Strait of Hormuz, but that "they can't... they don't control it."

"The U.S. controls it," the official added.

The remark comes as U.S. Central Command said “Safe passage through the international waterway remained intact today as 55 merchant ships transited, moving large amounts of cargo and more than 17 million barrels of oil to global markets.” 

Fox News' Jennifer Griffin contributed to this post.  

Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond

9 hours ago

Netanyahu tells Israel's military to respond forcefully to any Hezbollah attack: official

A senior Israeli official told Fox News on Saturday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed his country's military to respond forcefully to any Hezbollah attack.

The official said the IDF has struck 300 terrorist targets and killed approximately 100 militants in response to attacks from the Iran-backed Lebanese terrorist group over the last two days.

Israel and Hezbollah had reached a ceasefire agreement on Friday.

The official added if Hezbollah attacks Israel once again, Israeli forces will strike it forcefully once more.

Fox News' Yonat Friling contributed to this post. 

Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond

10 hours ago

Strait of Hormuz traffic has ‘increased’ as US military remains ‘present and vigilant’: CENTCOM

U.S. Central Command said Saturday that commercial ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has “increased” as “U.S. forces continued operating in the general area to support freedom of navigation.” 

“Safe passage through the international waterway remained intact today as 55 merchant ships transited, moving large amounts of cargo and more than 17 million barrels of oil to global markets,” CENTCOM said in a statement.  

“U.S. forces remain present and vigilant to ensure all aspects of the agreement with Iran are adhered to, obeyed, and in full force and effect,” it added. 

The comments come as Vice President JD Vance told Fox News on Saturday that “we're not seeing any evidence that the Iranians are still closing down the Strait of Hormuz.” 

Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond

10 hours ago

Trump says Iran missiles 'aren't the problem' after White House made them central to war rationale

For months, senior Trump administration officials argued that Iran's ballistic missile arsenal helped shield Tehran's nuclear ambitions and was a key reason the U.S. launched Operation Epic Fury attacks on the country. 

Now, President Donald Trump is suggesting Iran having missiles may not be a problem at all.

"If other countries have them, it's a little bit unfair for them not to have some. If Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and they all have some, I would say that in relative proportion, I think it's okay," Trump said at the G7 international forum Wednesday. "Am I going to let Saudi Arabia have missiles, but (Iran) can't have them? It doesn't work that way." 

"Missiles aren't the problem. They hurt a little location, but they don't blow up the planet."

"The Gulf nations will address the nonnuclear issues, as we'll be talking about the ballistic missiles," the president added. "And we'll talk, also, about the terrorist proxies that they have that — we don't want that to happen." 

Trump made the remarks while discussing whether Iran should be permitted to retain missile capabilities in a news conference at the G7 in Évian-les-Bains, France, just as details of the memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran were being released. 

The comments strike a much different tone than arguments repeatedly made by senior administration officials in recent months, who described Iran's ballistic missile force as both a major threat to regional security and a protective shield for Iran's nuclear program.

"Iran can never have a nuclear weapon, and we will not allow Iran to hide behind the immunity of a massive short-term ballistic missile inventory, or the ability to make them or launch them," Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters in a press conference March 3. "What they are trying to do, and have been trying to do for a very long time, is build a conventional weapons capability as a shield to hide behind."

Posted by Morgan Phillips

11 hours ago

Trump doubles down on ripping Democrats over talking point that Iran is now better off

President Donald Trump, for the second consecutive day, took a swipe at Democrats over the talking point that the Iranian regime is now better off than before the war. 

“Funny how the Dumocrats like to say that Iran is in a stronger position today than they were three months ago, despite the fact that they have been defeated militarily, with no Navy or Air Force. That’s why I call them the Dumocrats!!!” Trump wrote Saturday morning on Truth Social. 

On Friday, Trump said “The War has diminished Iran!” and “It doesn’t, any longer, have an Air Force, a Navy, Antiaircraft Equipment, Radar, or practically anything else, and yet the Dumocrats say that Iran is better off now than it was four months ago.” 

“Can you imagine getting away with that??? How stupid can some people be???” Trump added. 

Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond

11 hours ago

Israel’s military says it remains ‘committed to the ceasefire agreement’ with Hezbollah

The Israel Defense Forces said Saturday that it remains “committed” to a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah, despite fresh clashes in Lebanon. 

“In numerous incidents throughout the night (Saturday), the Hezbollah terrorist organization launched more than 50 projectiles toward IDF soldiers operating in southern Lebanon,” the IDF said.  

“These attacks constitute repeated and ongoing violations of the ceasefire agreement by the Hezbollah terrorist organization,” it continued. “The IDF will not tolerate attacks against Israeli civilians or IDF soldiers and will respond with determination to any act of aggression directed against them.” 

The IDF noted that it struck “dozens” of Hezbollah terrorists and infrastructure sites in southern Lebanon in response, including “rocket launch positions, weapons storage facilities, and Hezbollah command centers.” 

“The IDF remains committed to the ceasefire agreement in accordance with the directives of the political echelon and will continue to operate to remove any threat posed to the State of Israel and IDF soldiers,” it declared. 

Fox News’ Yonat Friling contributed to this report. 

Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond

11 hours ago

Vance says US 'has all the cards' ahead of Kushner and Witkoff's talks with Iran in Switzerland

Vice President JD Vance told “Fox & Friends Weekend” on Saturday that the “United States has all the cards" ahead of the latest round of US-Iran negotiations, set to take place in Switzerland. 

The talks are set to unfold after President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday signed a 14-point memorandum aimed at ending the war between the U.S. and Iran. 

"A lot of the criticisms of the deal have really underappreciated is that the United States has all the cards. The straits are now open. The Iranian military is now destroyed. The Iranians have committed to, of course, destroying that stockpile of enriched material,” Vance said. “But we have a lot of economic pressure applied to the Iranians that we would be willing to relieve if they do what we need them to do. If they don't do that, of course there's no skin off our back. They're still in a much weakened position." 

"We'll plan the talks when the principals from the Iranian government, also the Qatari and the Pakistani governments arrive. That may happen as soon as tomorrow, but these things are always a little bit in flux. Jared [Kushner] and Steve [Witkoff] have been on the ground now for a few hours, dealing with some of the technical elements of this negotiation,” Vance added.

"My understanding, talking to Jared and Steve this morning, is things are going well,” Vance also said.

Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond

11 hours ago

Vance tells Christians in Lebanon to ‘keep the faith’ as Hezbollah clashes with Israel

Vice President JD Vance told Christians in Lebanon to “keep the faith” Saturday as fighting between the terrorist group Hezbollah and the Israeli military has forced many to be displaced from their homes.  

“Christians in Lebanon, keep your faith in Jesus Christ and know that you have a lot of good friends in the United States government who are trying to promote peace in the region,” Vance said during an appearance on “Fox & Friends Weekend.”  

“You know, the fundamental problem for those Christians or the reason that those Christians face such violence is because you have Hezbollah, a terrorist organization that has effectively taken up shop in Lebanon. Sometimes they're fighting with the Israelis. Of course, that means the Israelis are going to respond in self-defense. And so there's this constant slow burn of conflict,” Vance continued. 

“It's actually gotten a lot better... over the last couple of weeks, thanks to the work of the president, of Secretary Rubio and of a whole lot of others in the administration. But sometimes peace takes a little bit of time to really take root. And that's what we're working towards. And that's really what we're working towards in the entire region, is just to change the way that we've done business. It's such a beautiful region of the world. There are so many Christians, Jews, Muslims who live there. Most of them are, of course, peaceful people. There's great economic potential,” the vice president also said. 

"If you talk to our friends in Israel and the Gulf Coast, what they're saying is that if this deal [with Iran] really takes root, this could transform the Middle East in a positive direction. Obviously, we have skeptics of the deal, but I think we've got to give more voice also to the people who think that Donald Trump is on the verge of accomplishing something that has never been accomplished before,” Vance added. 

Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond

12 hours ago

Vance expects to join Witkoff, Kushner in Switzerland for US-Iran talks

Vice President JD Vance told Fox News on Saturday that he expects to leave for Switzerland to join Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in the next round of U.S.-Iran negotiations. 

Vance made the announcement to “Fox & Friends Weekend” on Saturday after scrapping a planned trip to Switzerland on Friday. 

“I expect that I will leave sometime in the next couple of days. But, you know, it's always a delicate coordination dance and the diplomatic protocols,” Vance said. 

“I got to be honest with you, I don't really understand these things. I've never been particularly into diplomatic protocols. My attitude is ‘let's get on the ground and actually fix these problems.’ But they want to do a delicate dance. The Qataris and the Pakistanis want to make sure that we do this in the right way,” Vance added. 

Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond

12 hours ago

Vance: ‘We’re not seeing any evidence’ that Iran is still closing Strait of Hormuz, oil is flowing

Vice President JD Vance told Fox News on Saturday that “we're not seeing any evidence that the Iranians are still closing down the Strait of Hormuz.” 

“It is going to take some time to clear those mines, though,” Vance told “Fox & Friends Weekend.” 

“We got 16 million barrels out of the Strait of Hormuz in just the last 24 hours. That is basically to where it was before the war even started. And so that suggests that the Straits really are open,” Vance also said.  

Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond

13 hours ago

Trump says Italian PM Meloni ‘wants to be friends again’ after US defeated Iran: ‘No thanks’

The remarks Saturday come after a rift between Trump and Meloni emerged this week following the G7 summit. Trump told an Italian news outlet that Meloni "begged" him to take a photo with her during the G7 earlier this week, which sparked strong rebuke from the prime minister and Italian diplomats.   

“Italian Prime Minister Gigiorgia Meloni asked, over and over, for a picture with me during the G-7 meeting in France,” Trump wrote Saturday on Truth Social. “She is doing poorly in Italy with her level of popularity, possibly because she turned down the United States of America, a Country that truly loves and protects Italy, when it came to denying Iran from obtaining or developing a Nuclear Weapon (But so did NATO, for that matter!).” 

“She wouldn’t even let us use Italy’s landing strips or runways, a great logistical inconvenience, and this despite the fact the U.S. contributes hundreds of Billions of Dollars a year to protect Italy, and other ‘so-called’ NATO Allies,” Trump continued. “Now, after the United States defeated Iran militarily, she wants to be friends again in order to get her ‘numbers up.’ No thanks!!!” 

Fox News Digital’s Ashley J. DiMella contributed to this post. 

Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond

14 hours ago

Switzerland says it's offering 'discreet and reliable setting' for US-Iran talks

Switzerland’s foreign ministry said Saturday that it “continues to provide a discreet and reliable setting to facilitate talks at Bürgenstock on the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. and Iran.” 

“Diplomats from various countries currently present are continuing their efforts to maintain the dialogue. For reasons of confidentiality, no further information can be provided regarding those present or the discussions,” it added. 

The ministry announced on Friday that scheduled talks between the U.S., Iran, Qatar and Pakistan had been postponed. 

White House envoy Steve Witkoff is now expected to travel to Switzerland and join Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, for the next round of talks, according to Axios. 

Fox News’ Simon Owen contributed to this report. 

Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond

14 hours ago

Trump slams Obama and Biden over Iran policy, describes past presidents as 'weak and ineffective'

President Donald Trump on Saturday slammed former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden for their handling of Iran, calling both leaders "weak and ineffective."

"Radical Left fools and Dumocrats realize how well we have done in our War against Iran, with their Country being completely defeated militarily. Obuma just kept giving them $Billions in cash, and never used our then depleted military for what should have been done to reign in the World’s number one sponsor of terror, Iran," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

"They had ZERO respect for him. They thought he was, like Sleepy Joe Biden, a weak and ineffective leader, and on this they were 100% correct," Trump continued. 

"Iran got away with 'murder' for 47 years, until I came along. Then it all changed. AMERICA IS BACK!!!" Trump also said.

Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday signed a 14-point memorandum aimed at ending the war between the U.S. and Iran.

Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond

15 hours ago

Israel strikes Hezbollah targets in Lebanon after terrorist group launches over 50 projectiles

The Israel Defense Forces said it has been “striking Hezbollah terrorist targets in southern Lebanon” Saturday in response to fresh Hezbollah aggression, testing a ceasefire that was made between the two sides a day earlier. 

“Overnight, the Hezbollah terrorist organization launched more than 50 projectiles at Israeli forces in southern Lebanon. Following the attacks, the IDF has been striking Hezbollah terrorist targets in southern Lebanon,” the IDF said. 

Israel and Hezbollah reached a ceasefire agreement that went into effect on Friday. 

Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter had said Friday that Israel remains “firmly committed to an immediate ceasefire” with Hezbollah. 

“If Hezbollah honors the agreement and ceases its hostilities, they will be met with quiet,” Leiter said. 

Leiter also defended Israel’s security buffer zone in southern Lebanon, saying Israeli forces would remain there until Hezbollah’s infrastructure is dismantled. 

“The people of Lebanon deserve a future free from Hezbollah’s grip, and a real, genuine peace between our two countries remains possible,” he added. 

Fox News’ Yonat Friling and Jasmine Baehr contributed to this post. 

Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond

15 hours ago

Trump administration reportedly opens channels with Netanyahu rivals

Officials within the Trump administration are reportedly exploring communications channels with Israeli opposition leaders, including potential challengers to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Administration officials have recently begun making outreach efforts aimed at establishing relationships with opposition figures, according to The Times of Israel, which cited a report from Israel's Channel 12.

According to the report, the leading candidates to replace Netanyahu in a future election include former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and former Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot.

The outreach reportedly comes amid growing frustration within the administration over what some officials view as the Israeli government's inability to achieve key diplomatic objectives.

Posted by Michael Sinkewicz

15 hours ago

Iran's foreign minister expected in Switzerland for next round of US talks: report

Iranian Foreign Minister Sayed Abbas Araghchi is reportedly expected to participate in the next round of U.S.-Iran talks aimed at reaching a potential nuclear agreement.

Araghchi is expected to travel to Switzerland on Sunday for the negotiations, according to Axios.

The outlet reported that his travel plans remain fluid and could still change.

Axios also reported that White House envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to travel to Switzerland for the talks.

White House adviser Jared Kushner is already in Switzerland ahead of the anticipated negotiations, according to the report.

Posted by Michael Sinkewicz

15 hours ago

Witkoff expected in Switzerland for Iran talks after Vance scraps trip: report

White House envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to travel to Switzerland to participate in negotiations with Iran over a potential nuclear agreement, according to Axios.

The outlet also reported that former White House adviser Jared Kushner is already in Switzerland ahead of the anticipated talks.

The report came after Vice President JD Vance scrapped plans to travel to Switzerland on Friday for what had been expected to be the next round of U.S.-Iran negotiations.

The talks were expected to take place following a newly signed memorandum of understanding, with negotiators initially aiming to reach an agreement within 60 days.

Posted by Michael Sinkewicz