Vaughn Cockayne

Vice President J.D. Vance said Thursday that the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding is the first step toward regional stability, and struck back at critics who argued the agreement rewarded Tehran.

President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance staunchly defended the recently signed U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding on Thursday, insisting the deal will be better for regional security even as critics say it rewards Tehran.

Swiss officials announced that the first round of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, scheduled to be held at the mountaintop resort of Burgenstock, had been postponed until further notice.

Iran struck a cautiously optimistic tone on Monday following the first round of official negotiations with the U.S. in Switzerland, reassuring hardliners that the Islamic republic will not make any concessions before ensuring Washington does as well.

President Trump has directed William J. Pulte, his temporary choice to replace Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence, to significantly downsize the office and eliminate those he sees as political enemies, sparking bipartisan outrage and dredging up criticism that has plagued the position.

The U.S. Treasury Department on Monday issued a 60-day license allowing Iran to export and sell its oil, fulfilling one of the provisions in the memorandum of understanding signed between Washington and Tehran.

President Trump on Monday announced that Iran will be subject to weapons inspections as part of a comprehensive peace deal despite Tehran’s assertion that negotiators made no new commitments during the first round of talks in Switzerland over the weekend.

The Israeli military said Tuesday it launched airstrikes against armed militants in southern Lebanon after detecting a threat near soldiers in the region.

The U.S. and Iran presented differing narratives Tuesday on whether U.N. inspectors could visit nuclear sites and if Tehran had any interest in buying American crops, underscoring a complex start to the 60-day negotiations.

Oman said Thursday that any agreements with Iran over regulations in the Strait of Hormuz will not include tolls, even as Tehran proposes imposing “service fees” on commercial ships moving through the waterway.