DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he had called off new military strikes on Iran, claiming a breakthrough in negotiations to end the war just hours after the American leader threatened to escalate the conflict by seizing control of Iran’s oil industry.
Trump has said multiple times in recent weeks that the warring parties have been on the cusp of a deal without anything coming to fruition. A spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry said in a live phone call on state television that mediators were active and nothing had been finalized to end the conflict that began Feb. 28 when the U.S. and Israel jointly attacked Iran.
Trump opened an Oval Office event Thursday afternoon saying: “We just made a great settlement of the war with Iran.” He offered scant details, other than to say he expects an agreement to extend a fragile ceasefire that started in April to be finalized “over the next few days.”
Extending the terms of the ceasefire gives U.S. leaders more time to negotiate over Iran’s nuclear program, the main reason Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used to justify launching the war. Netanyahu’s office said Thursday that Israel is not a party to the emerging agreement between the U.S. and Iran.
The announcement came after two days of back-and-forth attacks between the U.S. and Iran had pushed the Middle East closer to the resumption of a full-scale war .
Trump had threatened further escalation earlier Thursday, posting on social media that the U.S. would hit Iran “VERY HARD TONIGHT” and take “total control” of its oil and gas industries . A few hours later, Trump posted on social media that significant points in the negotiations “have been brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership and approved.”
Esmail Baghaei, the spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, said in his phone call on state television that text of a deal is “mostly finalized.”
“The problem is that the contradictions in America’s position has caused turbulence to this process,” he said Thursday night.
The latest American attack appeared more intense and wider than the day before, but Iran released little information on the extent of the damage. AP Photo/Vahid Salemi
A major sticking point in negotiations has been Iran’s nuclear program, which the U.S. and Israel fear could lead to an atomic weapon, but which Tehran says is for peaceful purposes. Another key issue is Iran’s stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane for transporting oil and natural gas.
Trump Again Moves Quickly From Threats To Negotiating
Trump’s rapid shift Thursday from dire threats to promoting peace negotiations again underscored his whipsaw approach to the war. He suggested on Monday that a deal to end the conflict could be reached in a matter of days.
Then back-and-forth strikes rattled the Middle East this week. The first involved attacks between Iran and Israel , followed by the two rounds of fire between the U.S. and Iran, which targeted countries where U.S. troops are based. The U.S. strikes began after Trump blamed Iran for downing an American attack helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz. Both pilots were rescued safely.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the U.S. attacks had “effectively rendered the ceasefire ... meaningless,” without saying it was abandoning it.
After Trump threatened more attacks were to come on Thursday, Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, responded on social media that “wrong strategies and impulsive decisions” would wreak havoc on energy markets and “create an endless quagmire that you will be stuck in for years.”
It wasn’t the first time Trump threatened escalation before giving negotiations another chance. In April, he warned Iran that “a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again” if it didn’t agree to his terms, before extending a ceasefire.
President Donald Trump has urged Iran to sign a deal to end the war and suggested earlier this week that an agreement could be reached in days. AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson
Trump Threatened To Seize Iran’s Main Oil Terminal
Iran’s monthslong disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has crimped global energy supplies, driven up fuel prices and made food and other basics more expensive well beyond the region.
Trump had threatened Thursday to seize Kharg Island, the heart of Iran’s oil industry , through which 90% of its exports pass.
But Trump himself soon voiced doubts about taking over the oil terminal, saying in an interview with Fox News : “I don’t know that America has the stomach for it, to be honest.”
“I don’t want to have boots on the ground,” Trump said. “But if I wanted to, we could put a small group of soldiers and take over the place.”
A man passes in front of burned cars that were attacked in an Israeli airstrike in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon, on June 10, 2026. AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari
Tensions Persist Over Iran’s Nuclear Program,…
Read the full article at HuffPost →📄Source document: White House Statement
14 reports
The New York Times (World)Independent🔒Center7 hr. agoA new round of U.S.-Iran talks is set to begin in Switzerland. Vice President JD Vance was expected to participate in discussions with Iranian negotiators. However, the ongoing conflict in Lebanon poses challenges to achieving a broader peace agreement and maintaining the security of the Strait of Hormuz.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a factual summary of upcoming diplomatic talks between the U.S. and Iran without overtly favoring either side. It mentions the involvement of Vice President JD Vance and notes the potential impact of the conflict in Lebanon on the negotiations, but does not use biased language,
NBC NewsIndependentCenter2 days agoThe article mentions that U.S.-Iran talks have been postponed, with JD Vance canceling his trip to Switzerland. However, the majority of the content appears to be a list of video titles and snippets related to various topics such as sports events, political figures, and other news items.
Bias read (Center): The article does not provide enough detailed information or analysis on the U.S.-Iran talks or JD Vance's cancellation to determine a clear ideological lean. The content seems to be more of a listing of video segments rather than an in-depth report.
Fox News (US)IndependentRight2 days agoFox News reports that Switzerland has confirmed the postponement of talks with the US and Iran. The article also lists other top headlines including criticism of the Obama Center's opening ceremony, comments from Vance regarding Trump, and updates on legal cases involving Karmelo Anthony and Luigi Mangione.
Bias read (Right): The headline and framing focus on the postponement of diplomatic talks between Switzerland, the US, and Iran without providing balanced context or alternative perspectives. The inclusion of other headlines such as criticism of the Obama Center's opening ceremony suggests a conservative framing that
NBC NewsIndependentCenter2 days ago U.S.-Iran talks postponed as Vance cancels trip and Israel intensifies strikes in southern LebanonU.S.-Iran peace talks scheduled for June 19, 2026, have been postponed due to recent Israeli military actions in southern Lebanon. The delay follows the signing of an interim agreement between the U.S. and Iran aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. Iranian officials reportedly requested assurances that hostilities in Lebanon will cease as stipulated in the deal. The talks were intended to begin a 60-day negotiation process to address long-term issues and secure a permanent resolution to the war.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information without overtly biased language or selective sourcing. It reports on the postponement of diplomatic talks and provides context regarding the reasons behind the delay, including Israeli military actions and Iranian demands. There is no clear ideological slant,
Official sources cited
- other Regional Diplomat
- government Switzerland’s Foreign Ministry
AxiosIndependentCenter2 days agoVice President JD Vance postponed a planned trip to Switzerland for U.S.-Iran talks, according to the White House. The delay was attributed to logistical issues, though there are suggestions it may also relate to the fragile ceasefire in Lebanon. Iranian authorities had authorized direct talks with the U.S., but no changes to their plans were indicated.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information without overtly biased language or framing. It reports on the postponement of diplomatic talks and provides context from both U.S. and Iranian perspectives without taking a clear stance or emphasizing one side over the other.
Official sources cited
- government White House Statement
- government Press Conference by Vance
ABC News (US)IndependentCenter2 days agoVice President JD Vance has postponed a planned trip to Switzerland to lead new U.S. negotiations with Iran regarding Iran's nuclear program. The White House did not provide specific details about the delay but indicated it could affect the future of a tentative agreement aimed at ending the conflict.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information without overtly biased language or emphasis. It reports on a postponement of diplomatic efforts without taking a stance on the implications or outcomes.
The Washington TimesIndependentCenter2 days agoThe White House announced that Vice President JD Vance would delay a planned trip to Switzerland for negotiations with Iran regarding its nuclear program. The decision cited logistical challenges. This follows reports from Al-Mayadeen, an outlet aligned with Hezbollah, suggesting Iran might also delay its participation due to Israel's military actions in Lebanon. The U.S. recently lifted restrictions on oil movement through the Strait of Hormuz, which has sparked criticism from some U.S. lawmakers who believe the U.S. has made excessive concessions to Iran.
Bias read (Center): The article presents facts without overtly favoring any side. It includes perspectives from both the White House and critics within the U.S., providing a balanced view of the situation.
Official sources cited
- government White House statement
- organisation Al-Mayadeen report
Breitbart NewsIndependentRight3 days agoU.S.-Iran negotiations on implementing a memorandum of understanding to end the Middle East conflict have begun in Switzerland. The talks involve U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, with mediation from Pakistan, Qatar, and other countries. The agreement was signed earlier than planned, with U.S. President Donald Trump signing it in Paris, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed remotely.
Bias read (Right): The article frames the U.S.-Iran agreement as a 'memorandum of understanding on ending the Middle East war,' which implies a positive outcome for U.S. interests. It highlights the involvement of U.S. officials and omits significant criticism or alternative perspectives on the agreement. The focus on
Breitbart NewsIndependentRight5 days ago Vance: Iran Will Destroy Nuclear Dust, Will Get 'Benefits' if They End Enrichment, Allow Strong InspectionsVice President JD Vance discussed Iran's nuclear program during an interview on Fox News' 'Hannity.' He stated that under the proposed agreement, Iran would destroy its highly-enriched uranium stockpile, referred to as 'nuclear dust,' and that Iran would only receive additional benefits if it agrees to halt enrichment and allow robust inspections.
Bias read (Right): The article presents Vance's remarks without overtly biased language, but the framing emphasizes Iran's compliance with U.S. demands and implies conditional benefits for Iran based on its adherence to restrictions. The emphasis on destroying Iran's nuclear materials and linking benefits to Iran's ce
The New York Times (World)Independent🔒Center5 days ago U.S. and Iran Sign a Framework Deal, Leaving Major Issues for Future TalksU.S. and Iranian officials announced a framework deal that includes a 60-day cease-fire aimed at facilitating negotiations for a final peace agreement and discussions regarding Iran's nuclear program.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information without overtly biased language or emphasis. It reports on the signing of a framework deal between the U.S. and Iran, including details about the 60-day cease-fire and future negotiations. There is no indication of favoritism toward either side, and the tone,
The HillIndependentCenter5 days agoThe U.S. military will maintain its current force posture in the Middle East during the 60-day negotiation period with Iran, according to senior Trump administration officials. Officials expressed hope to reduce troop levels but stated no immediate plans to do so. They emphasized that any reduction would depend on Iran making concessions and commitments regarding its nuclear program. A memorandum of understanding was signed by U.S. President Trump, Vice President Vance, and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, with details expected to be released soon. The Pentagon has increased
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information without overtly biased language or framing. It reports directly on statements made by administration officials and provides context about the military buildup and diplomatic efforts. There is no clear emphasis on one side over another, and the tone remains
CBS News (US)IndependentRight5 days agoVice President JD Vance denied reports that Iran would receive 'billions of dollars of assets' as part of the upcoming U.S.-Iran deal. He stated that such claims were false and emphasized that the focus of the agreement is on Iran making long-term commitments regarding its nuclear program. Iran's Revolutionary Guard claimed the deal includes $24 billion in unfrozen funds during the 60-day final negotiation period.
Bias read (Right): The article frames the U.S. position as opposing the release of large sums of money to Iran, emphasizing restrictions on Iran's nuclear program and suggesting skepticism toward claims of significant financial relief for Iran. The language highlights U.S. concerns over Iran's economic sanctions and '
Official sources cited
- statement Vice President JD Vance's statement on 'CBS Mornings'
- statement Iran's Revolutionary Guard statement
HuffPostParty-alignedCenter10 days agoU.S. President Donald Trump announced that he had called off new military strikes on Iran, citing a breakthrough in negotiations to end the ongoing conflict. This followed threats to escalate the situation by taking control of Iran's oil industry. Iranian officials indicated that mediators were involved but no final agreement had been reached. Trump mentioned a potential extension of the existing ceasefire, which would provide additional time for negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear program. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel was not part of any emerging agreement.
Bias read (Center): The article presents facts and quotes from both Trump and Iranian officials without overtly favoring one side. It does not use emotionally charged language or selectively omit key perspectives. The framing appears balanced, focusing on reported statements and actions rather than editorializing.
Official sources cited
- government U.S. President Donald Trump
- government Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson
The New York Times (World)Independent🔒Center12 days ago A Challenge in the U.S.-Iran Talks: Both Sides Demand VictoryThe article discusses challenges in ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations, noting that both sides are likely to frame any agreement as a victory for their respective positions. It also mentions that the leaders of both countries have approaches to negotiations that complicate mediation efforts.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced view by highlighting the mutual demands of both the U.S. and Iran without taking a stance on which side is more at fault or more justified. It focuses on the structural difficulties in negotiations rather than promoting one perspective over another.
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