Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Trump says deal with Iran is still possible, as ceasefire nears end
Vice President J.D. Vance is expected to fly to Pakistan on Tuesday for peace talks with Iran, with tensions in the Middle East running hot and negotiations on a knife-edge before the expiration of a two-week ceasefire. Published April 20, 2026
Trump insists Israel did not drag him into war with Iran
President Trump said Monday the outcome of his military operation against Iran will be "amazing" and pushed back against claims that Israel talked him into the war. Published April 20, 2026
U.S. Customs launches portal to process tariff refunds after Supreme Court ruling
The Trump administration on Monday launched an online portal where companies can submit claims for refunds of payments on tariffs nullified by the Supreme Court. Published April 20, 2026
Treasury sanctions Iran-backed militias in Iraq as part of pressure campaign
The Treasury Department is sanctioning some of Iraq's "most violent" Iran-backed militia groups as part of its broader effort to rein in Tehran. Published April 17, 2026
Trump, Iranian official say the Strait of Hormuz is open for duration of Israel-Lebanon ceasefire
A top Iranian official says the Strait of Hormuz will be "completely open" for the duration of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, a major development that enthused markets. Published April 17, 2026
Trump hopes for breakthrough in Iran talks or ‘fighting resumes’
The U.S. and Iran could meet for another round of peace talks this weekend, President Trump said Thursday after Israel and Lebanon agreed to a ceasefire that might open the path to a lasting truce in the Middle East. Published April 16, 2026
Trump announces Israel-Lebanon ceasefire after personal outreach to leaders
President Trump said Thursday that leaders in Israel and Lebanon agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, a major development that could accelerate peace talks between the U.S. and Iran. Published April 16, 2026
International Energy Agency chief warns Europe could run out of jet fuel soon
The head of the International Energy Agency is warning that Europe could run out of jet fuel within six weeks due to the Middle East conflict and energy crunch. Published April 16, 2026
White House says prospects of deal with Iran are ‘good,’ but Trump has not extended ceasefire
President Trump has not agreed to a formal extension of the ceasefire with Iran, but the U.S. is engaging with Pakistani mediators and is open to a second round of talks in Islamabad, the White House said Wednesday. Published April 15, 2026
Trump says Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged not to send weapons to Iran
President Trump said Wednesday that Chinese President Xi Jinping told him Beijing would not send weapons to Iran. Published April 15, 2026
Trump says Iran war is ‘very close’ to over, says Iranians want a deal
President Trump says the war with Iran is "very close to over" as both sides consider another round of talks for a lasting peace. Published April 15, 2026
U.S., Iran could restart talks within days while Israel and Lebanon hold rare meeting over Hezbollah
Pressure mounted on the U.S. and Iran to resume peace talks, while officials from Israel and Lebanon held parallel negotiations Tuesday in Washington about dealing with Tehran-backed militants in Hezbollah. Published April 14, 2026
U.S. military says Trump’s blockade of Iranian ports has been airtight
U.S. Central Command said Tuesday it's successfully implementing President Trump's decision to block ships from going to and from Iranian ports. Published April 14, 2026
French President Macron urges U.S. and Iran to restart talks
French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday he personally urged President Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to resume peace negotiations that ended without a deal over the weekend. Published April 14, 2026
Trump says Iran ‘badly’ wants deal as he threatens to sink ships challenging U.S. blockade
Iran reached out to the U.S. because it wants to make a deal "very badly," President Trump said Monday as he implemented a blockade of Iranian ports to punish Tehran and force it back to the negotiating table. Published April 13, 2026
Trump says port blockade is designed to force Iran to the table over nuclear ambitions
President Trump said Monday that his blockade of Iranian ports is designed to get Tehran back to the negotiating table and compel the Iranians to relinquish their chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz. Published April 13, 2026
Trump trade agenda reduces reliance on China and leads to ‘golden age,’ White House tells Congress
President Trump's trade agenda is paying off by slashing trade imbalances with major global powers in 2025 and reducing America's reliance on China, the White House said Monday in a report to Congress. Published April 13, 2026
Trump threatens to blow up Iranian ships that disrupt port blockade
President Trump on Monday threatened to blow up Iranian ships that attempt to disrupt his blockade of Iranian ports, as both sides jockey for leverage during a tenuous ceasefire. Published April 13, 2026
Iranian leaders brush off blockade threat, say Americans will be ‘nostalgic’ for current gas prices
Officials in Tehran talked tough as President Trump's blockade of Iranian ports loomed on Monday, saying the regime still had "cards" to play after peace talks broke down over the weekend. Published April 13, 2026
Trump says Strait of Hormuz will reopen shortly, says Iran cannot charge toll
President Trump says he wants to see oil traffic move freely through the Persian Gulf region "with or without" cooperation from Iran as talks get underway to end the war. Published April 10, 2026
