Iran claims uranium enrichment as ‘red line’ in talks with Trump as US downs drones over Hormuz
President Donald Trump has warned Iran that no nation will be allowed to control the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran officials continue to draw out peace negotiations.
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US denies Iranian reports claiming American aircraft was shot down: officials
Two U.S. officials told Fox News on Thursday that no American assets were shot down by Iran, pushing back on Iranian state media reports claiming a U.S. aircraft had been downed.
“Not true,” one U.S. official told Fox News when asked about the report.
The denial comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran following recent drone interceptions near the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.
Fox News’ Liz Friden contributed to this report.
CENTCOM rebuts Iranian claims US aircraft was shot down near Bushehr
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on Thursday directly rejected Iranian state media reports claiming Iranian forces shot down a U.S. aircraft near Bushehr.
“CLAIM: Iran’s state TV claimed Iranian forces downed a U.S. aircraft near Bushehr. FALSE,” CENTCOM wrote in a post on X.
“TRUTH: No U.S. aircraft were shot down. All U.S. air assets are accounted for,” the post added.
The statement came after two U.S. officials earlier told Fox News that reports of an American aircraft being downed were “not true” amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran.
CENTCOM posts video of USS Abraham Lincoln flight operations in Arabian Sea amid Iran tensions
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on Thursday posted new video showing the USS Abraham Lincoln conducting flight operations while transiting the Arabian Sea as tensions with Iran continue to simmer in the region.
The post comes hours after U.S. officials disputed Iranian state media reports claiming an American aircraft had been shot down.
“USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) conducts flight operations while transiting the Arabian Sea,” CENTCOM wrote in a post on X alongside the footage.
The video also comes as the U.S. continues military operations near the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing negotiations with Tehran over its nuclear program.
Trump reveals the line Iran has to cross for US to restart offensive military campaign
President Donald Trump revealed what Iranian move could trigger U.S. forces to relaunch an offensive military campaign after waves of U.S. self-defense strikes hit Iran.
“Well, a deal that wasn’t going to be good for us is the line, ultimately,” Trump said. “I’m playing it out, and we’re going to see.”
On “My View with Lara Trump,” the president addressed possible future military action in Iran as well as the political impact of the conflict. The full interview airs Saturday at 9 p.m. EST on Fox News Channel.
There have been talks of renewed U.S. military action in Iran as a shaky ceasefire and stalled negotiations test the administration’s patience.
The U.S.-Iran ceasefire has been in place since early April, but negotiations between Iranian and U.S. officials since then have stalled, though Trump recently signaled the two sides are close to reaching a deal.
Trump told Fox News that while Iranians are “very good” negotiators, their decimated military gives the United States leverage to secure their preferred conditions, chief among them being a nuclear-disarmed Iran.
“They’re crafty, but in the end, we have all the cards because we’ve defeated them militarily,” the president said.
This is an excerpt of an article by Fox News Digital’s Nora Moriarty.
Hegseth arrives in Singapore for Indo-Pacific summit amid Iran tensions
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth arrived in Singapore on Thursday ahead of the Shangri-La Dialogue, a major Indo-Pacific security summit taking place as tensions with Iran continue to simmer in the Middle East.
The Pentagon said Hegseth’s trip marks his fourth visit to the Indo-Pacific and will include meetings with Singapore’s prime minister and defense minister, along with bilateral talks with regional allies and partners.
Hegseth is also expected to deliver plenary remarks outlining the administration’s “forward-looking, common-sense approach” to protecting U.S. interests in the Indo-Pacific.
The trip comes as the Trump administration continues high-stakes negotiations with Tehran following recent U.S. military action in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday that President Donald Trump would not agree to any deal unless Iran reopens the Strait of Hormuz, gives up highly enriched uranium and agrees not to pursue a nuclear weapon.
The Department shared video Thursday showing Hegseth arriving in Singapore.
Iranians regain internet access after monthslong shutdown, but restrictions remain
Iranians began regaining internet access Wednesday after a monthslong government shutdown, though service remained slow and heavily restricted, according to The Times of Israel, citing The Associated Press.
Authorities first cut access during nationwide anti-regime protests in January and later imposed a full blackout after the U.S. and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury against the Iranian regime on Feb. 28.
Internet tracking company NetBlocks said Iran’s connectivity had returned to roughly 86% of pre-shutdown capacity, while Kentik said internet traffic was around 40%.
Users told AP that service remained spotty, with platforms including YouTube and Instagram still heavily restricted. Many Iranians continue to rely on VPNs to access blocked sites.
The shutdown battered online businesses and made it difficult for Iranian families to communicate during months of unrest and war.
The partial restoration comes as negotiators appear to be moving closer to a more lasting truce.
Bessent says Iran sanctions relief not on table until Hormuz opens, uranium demands met
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday that sanctions relief for Iran will not be on the table unless Tehran reopens the Strait of Hormuz, turns over highly enriched uranium and agrees it cannot have a nuclear program.
“Nothing is going to be on the table until we see the Strait of Hormuz open,” Bessent told reporters at the White House.
Bessent said President Donald Trump has been clear about his “red lines” in talks with Tehran, including that “navigation of the seas has to be free and open as it was before.”
“He’s not going to take a bad deal,” Bessent said. “He’s going to make a great deal for the American people.”
Bessent also said oil prices have fallen about 10% in May and predicted the market will be “very well supplied” once shipping resumes through the strait.
“There are almost 2,000 ships waiting to come out of the Gulf,” Bessent said. “We could see prices come down very quickly.”
The remarks came as the U.S. and Iran continue negotiations over a potential ceasefire extension and nuclear talks after CENTCOM said Iranian drones and a missile toward Kuwait violated the fragile ceasefire.
Hegseth touts ‘largest pay raise in modern history’ in Trump military budget push
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Thursday promoted what he called a “generational” investment in the U.S. military, touting pay raises, barracks upgrades and expanded family support programs under President Donald Trump’s proposed defense budget.
“The United States has the greatest military the world has ever known,” Hegseth said in a video posted to X. “But our greatest asset is the American warfighter.”
Hegseth said the proposed $1.5 trillion military investment would include a historic overhaul of troop housing and quality-of-life programs after years of what he described as neglect.
“For too long, Washington has not done enough for the Americans who make our military the most lethal fighting force in history,” he said.
The defense secretary said the budget would spend $90 billion to eliminate “substandard and failing barracks” and improve military infrastructure.
He also touted what he called “the largest pay raise for our troops in modern history,” including pay hikes of up to 7% for junior enlisted service members.
“Our troops should never be and will never be on food stamps,” Hegseth said.
The proposal also includes more than $35 billion for military family support systems, according to Hegseth, including military healthcare, child care programs, commissaries, schools and spousal employment assistance.
“Taking care of our troops isn’t just about doing the right thing,” Hegseth said. “It’s about military readiness.”
Ex-counterterrorism chief warns of ‘major problem’ that could force US to play on ‘Iran’s terms’
Former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent claimed that by having military assets in the vicinity of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the U.S. is at risk of being compelled “back into the war on Iran’s terms.”
“A major problem w/ the status quo of having our forces within reach of the Iranians is that we could easily be forced back into the war on Iran’s terms,” Kent asserted in a Thursday post on X.
“If we withdraw now we retain the ability to strike from a distance & take away Iran’s ability to draw us back into the war. Thankfully it appears that we didn’t take casualties, we won’t always be so fortunate,” he added.
Kent, who quit the counterterrorism post in March because of his opposition to the Iran war, made the comments when sharing a post issued by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
“At 10:17 p.m. ET on May 27, Iran launched a ballistic missile toward Kuwait that was successfully intercepted by Kuwaiti forces. This egregious ceasefire violation by the Iranian regime occurred hours after Iranian forces launched five one-way attack drones that posed a clear threat in and near the Strait of Hormuz. All drones were successfully intercepted by U.S. forces which also prevented a sixth drone launch from an Iranian ground control site in Bandar Abbas,” CENTCOM’s Thursday post noted.
“U.S. Central Command and regional partners remain vigilant and measured as we continue to defend our forces and interests from unjustified Iranian aggression,” CENTCOM added.
This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News’ Alex Nitzberg.
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
US, Iran nearing agreement on 60-day extension for ceasefire, nuclear talks: sources
U.S. and Iranian negotiators have reached an agreement on a 60-day memorandum of understanding to extend the ceasefire and launch negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program, but President Donald Trump has yet to give it his final approval, U.S. sources told Fox News on Thursday.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to meet with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Washington, D.C., on Friday.
Axios first reported news on the agreement.
Fox News’ Patrick Ward contributed to this report.
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
Bessent doubles down on warning to Oman over Hormuz tolls
President Donald Trump’s administration doubled down on a warning to Oman against imposing a toll for ships to safely transit the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that the U.S. would not support any scheme that involved issuing tolls in the strait. Trump had threatened Oman during comments at a Cabinet meeting on Thursday after reports of a proposal for Iran and Oman to jointly solicit payments.
“The United States Government will not tolerate any effort to impose a tolling system in the Strait of Hormuz. Oman, in particular, should know that the U.S. Treasury will aggressively target any actors involved – directly or indirectly – in facilitating tolls for the Strait and any willing partners will be penalized,” Bessent wrote.
“All nations should reject outright any efforts by Iran to disrupt the free flow of commerce. Tehran’s days of terrorizing the region and the world are over,” he added.
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
Bill Hemmer explains Iran’s claims in Strait of Hormuz amid new strikes
Fox News’ Bill Hemmer detailed Iran’s claims of oversight in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, highlighting areas under that Tehran claims it has authority over.
Hemmer also noted the location where Kuwaiti forces intercepted an Iranian missile on Wednesday. U.S. Central Command argued that attack constituted an “egregious” violation of the ongoing ceasefire.
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
Bessent announces new Iran sanctions, says Tehran’s economy is in ‘free fall’
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent delivered an update on U.S. efforts to destabilize Iran’s economy on Thursday.
Bessent says Operation Economic Fury remains in full swing as peace talks between Iran and Washington continue, going on to announce new sanctions relating to the Strait of Hormuz.
“Their troops are not getting paid, the police are not reporting for work, and Kharg Island is shut down. The Iranian economy and currency are in free fall,” Bessent wrote in a post on X.
“Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) is a joke, and today Treasury has sanctioned it. We have warned any corporate or state entities against paying tolls or hiding them as aid payments,” he continued.
“Forming a Wall of Steel, the U.S. Naval Blockade has ensured a record low amount of Iranian crude on the water. We will also be shutting down both Iranian airlines’ access to landing spots, refueling, and ticket sales,” he added.
His statement comes after Iran partially lifted its blackout on internet access this week, a move seen as a concession made in hopes to keep its economy afloat.
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
Israel launches airstrikes in Lebanon ahead of Washington peace talks
Israeli forces launched airstrikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon’s capital of Beirut on Thursday as U.S. and Pakistani leaders prepare for peace talks in Washington.
Israel in recent days has widened its attacks on Lebanon, some of the deadliest days since a Washington-brokered ceasefire agreement went into effect on April 17. Thursday’s strike was the first attack on Lebanon’s capital in weeks.
Before the attacks on Thursday, Israeli military Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued warnings to residents of eight buildings in Tyre, along the Mediterranean, and in surrounding neighborhoods. Many people have fled the area.
The strikes came after the IDF said one of its soldiers was killed in a Hezbollah drone attack in northern Israel.
Lebanese and Israeli military officials are set to hold their first security talks on Friday in the U.S. capital.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
Pakistani foreign minister to meet with Rubio in Washington on Friday
Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will meet with Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, D.C. on Friday to discuss peace talks with Iran, Pakistan’s foreign ministry says.
Islamabad says the Dar will meet Rubio “to review bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest,” according to a statement.
The meeting comes amid unprecedented strain on the fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, with the U.S. shooting down multiple Iranian drones over the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday.
Iran also launched a ballistic missile toward Kuwait on Wednesday, which Kuwaiti air defensed successfully intercepted.
Pakistan has been serving as a mediator between Washington and Tehran for weeks, but negotiations have been slow to produce results.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
Pentagon slashes NATO combat commitments as Trump pushes Europe to defend itself
The Pentagon recently informed European allies it plans to reduce some U.S. military capabilities available to NATO during a crisis as part of a broader push to shift more of the alliance’s conventional defense burden onto Europe.
The Trump administration plans to reduce certain available capabilities by roughly one-third to one half, officials confirmed to Fox News Digital, including strategic bomber planes, fighter jets and some naval assets.
Pentagon official Alexander Velez-Green informed officials of the coming changes at the NATO Defense Policy Directors’ meeting in Brussels Friday, according to two officials familiar with the matter.
The Pentagon declined to confirm details about the changes, but chief spokesman Sean Parnell acknowledged the shift in a statement to Fox News Digital, framing it as part of a broader effort to pressure allies to assume greater responsibility for Europe’s defense.
“The Department of War announced changes to U.S. contributions to the NATO Force Model at the Defense Policy Directors’ meeting in Brussels,” he said. “These changes represent an opportunity for allies to demonstrate that they have heard President Trump’s call for them to step up and take primary responsibility for Europe’s conventional defense.”
“Spending more on defense is one thing — and our allies must do so as quickly as possible, consistent with their Hague Summit pledge. It is vitally important, however, for our NATO allies to focus increased defense spending on the combat-credible capabilities most required for Europe’s defense. The Department of War’s announcement offers allies an opportunity to do exactly that.”
This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News’ Morgan Phillips.
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
CENTCOM claims ceasefire ‘violation’ after Iranian ballistic missile attack against Kuwait
U.S. Central Command says Iran launched a ballistic missile against Kuwait late Wednesday night after the U.S. shot down Iranian drones over the Strait of Hormuz.
“At 10:17 p.m. ET on May 27, Iran launched a ballistic missile toward Kuwait that was successfully intercepted by Kuwaiti forces. This egregious ceasefire violation by the Iranian regime occurred hours after Iranian forces launched five one-way attack drones that posed a clear threat in and near the Strait of Hormuz. All drones were successfully intercepted by U.S. forces which also prevented a sixth drone launch from an Iranian ground control site in Bandar Abbas,” CENTCOM wrote in a statement.
“U.S. Central Command and regional partners remain vigilant and measured as we continue to defend our forces and interests from unjustified Iranian aggression,” the statement added.
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
Iranian regime may try to ‘string out’ talks, terrorism analyst warns
“Fox News @ Night” panelists discussed the U.S. carrying out more “self-defense” strikes against Iran near the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday as well as efforts to secure a peace deal with the regime.
Experts say Iran may attempt to lengthen peace talks to prevent the U.S. from engaging in further military action.
Ret. Gen. Jack Keane told Fox News earlier this weekend that President Donald Trump is showing Iran his “patience” in the ongoing negotiations.
Terrorism analyst Erik Stackelbeck argued that the regime in Tehran is also patient, however, and may be looking far down the line to after Trump is out of office.
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
Iran lays out ‘red lines’ as Trump pushes for nuclear deal
An Iranian official asserted Wednesday that Tehran will not back down from its “red lines” in negotiations with the United States.
Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament’s national security committee, wrote in a post on X that Iran’s red lines include the country’s right to enrich uranium, maintain stockpiles of enriched uranium and control the Strait of Hormuz.
He also called for the lifting of all sanctions against Iran.Azizi criticized President Donald Trump, accusing him of seeking a deal with Iran “in order to save himself” from what he described as the “strategic deadlock” surrounding U.S.-Iran negotiations.
Trump said during a Cabinet meeting Wednesday that Iran was “negotiating on fumes,” while accusing Tehran of relying on delay tactics to try to “outwait” him on denuclearization talks.
“Iran is very much intent, they want very much to make a deal – so far they haven’t gotten there,” he said.
Fox News’ Michael Sinkewicz contributed to this report.
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
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