Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Iran offers deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, punt nuclear talks to a later date
Iran has reportedly offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if talks around its nuclear program are postponed to another time. Published April 27, 2026
Kushner, Witkoff to travel to Pakistan for renewed talks with Iran
President Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and special envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Pakistan on Saturday to resume peace talks with Iran, according to the White House. Published April 24, 2026
Trump issues 90-day extension of Jones Act waiver to move goods during Iran war
President Trump is authorizing a 90-day extension of his waiver to the Jones Act -- a longstanding shipping law -- to ease economic concerns around the war with Iran. Published April 24, 2026
Iranian foreign minister heads to Pakistan, signaling a possible revival of peace talks
A top Iranian official is heading to Pakistan, raising the prospect of a new round of peace talks with the U.S. Published April 24, 2026
Trump rules out using nuclear weapons against Iran
President Trump on Thursday emphatically insisted that he will not use a nuclear weapon against Iran as the conflict nears its third month. Published April 23, 2026
U.S. intercepts another Iranian oil tanker as Trump threatens to sink ships laying mines
The U.S. Navy interdicted another Iranian-linked oil tanker on Thursday, as the U.S. and Iran continued to trade ship seizures, both near the Strait of Hormuz and in the Indo-Pacific region. Published April 23, 2026
Trump defends length of military operation in Iran: ‘Don’t rush me’
President Trump on Thursday defended the duration of his military operation in Iran, saying there is no need to put a timetable on reaching a deal. Published April 23, 2026
Trump opts to host an ambassador-level meeting between Israel and Lebanon
President Trump is putting a personal touch on Israel-Lebanon peace talks, opting to host officials from both countries at the White House on Thursday. Published April 23, 2026
Iranian official claims ‘iron unity’ within country, pushing back on White House talk of factions
A prominent Iranian official said Thursday there are no major divisions within the country's leadership, a swipe at President Trump's claim that twin camps in Tehran cannot agree on how to end their war with the U.S. Published April 23, 2026
Ceasefire-linked drop in gas prices idles, AAA figures show
The decline in gas prices during the Iran war's ceasefire seemed to stall out Thursday as the national cost at the pump ticked up. Published April 23, 2026
‘No hesitation’: Trump orders Navy to shoot mine-laying boats in Strait of Hormuz
President Trump said Thursday that the U.S. Navy will "shoot and kill" any boat that lays mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway at the heart of his conflict with Iran. Published April 23, 2026
Trump ally Justin Sun sues crypto venture aligned with president’s family over frozen tokens
Cryptocurrency champion Justin Sun is suing World Liberty Financial, a company founded by President Trump and his sons. Published April 23, 2026
Ship seizures raise tensions in the Strait of Hormuz as U.S. navigates peace talks with Iran
Iran's naval forces fired on and seized two container ships near the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, as Tehran and U.S. forces vied for control of critical waterways and the upper hand in tenuous peace talks. Published April 22, 2026
Bessent says gas prices will return to low levels, defends oil sanctions relief
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told lawmakers Wednesday that high gas prices will not last long, but said the rate of price decreases will depend on how quickly the U.S. and Iran can end hostilities in the Middle East. Published April 22, 2026
Major airline cancels 20K flights to save on fuel costs due to Middle East shortfall
German airline Lufthansa says it will cancel 20,000 shorter flights through October as a fuel-saving measure because the Iran war has increased costs. Published April 22, 2026
Trump extends Iran ceasefire, citing ‘seriously fractured’ government in Tehran as peace talks stall
President Trump said Tuesday he will postpone attacks on Iran while its "fractured" leadership tries to submit a proposal for lasting peace. Published April 21, 2026
Wall Street shares drop and oil prices rise as investors’ hopes for a U.S.-Iran deal fade
U.S. stocks dropped on Tuesday as investors feared talks between the Trump administration and Iran were at risk of breaking down before the end of a two-week ceasefire. Published April 21, 2026
Trump suggests China got caught by U.S. sending military aid to Iran
President Trump on Tuesday strongly hinted that China is helping Iran in its war with the U.S. but downplayed the situation, saying his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping remains on solid footing. Published April 21, 2026
Trump says he would be ‘honored’ by companies refusing tariff refunds
President Trump said Tuesday he would be happy with companies that decline to seek refunds for tariffs that the Supreme Court invalidated. Published April 21, 2026
Trump says Tehran has ‘no choice’ but to negotiate a good deal
President Trump said Tuesday the U.S. and Iran will end up with a "great deal," as negotiating teams prepared to sit down in Pakistan ahead of the expiration of a two-week pause in fighting. Published April 21, 2026
