U.S. President Donald Trump expects a potential agreement with Iran within a week, according to Fox News journalist Bret Baier. Speaking during a live broadcast on Wednesday, Baier said he had recently spoken with Trump, who expressed optimism about the memorandum of understanding and described his outlook as one of cautious optimism. Trump reportedly told Baier that organizing all aspects of the deal would take about a week.

Baier explained that two main conditions are being prioritized in the proposed deal: the removal of enriched uranium from Iran and ensuring the full openness of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump also stated at the White House that Iran is willing to engage in discussions and reach an agreement.

The report, citing Middle East Monitor, indicates that both sides are moving toward negotiations, though the final outcome remains uncertain.

U.S. President Donald Trump told his supporters that he believes the ongoing war with Iran will end soon. He also indicated that efforts are underway to reach an agreement to resolve the stalemate over the Hormuz Strait blockade and Tehran’s nuclear program. The remarks were made during a phone call with party supporters, according to a Reuters report cited by Al Jazeera.

Trump said the United States’ main objective in the conflict is to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. He emphasized that most people understand the reasoning behind U.S. actions and that the situation would be resolved quickly. His comments suggest a dual approach of maintaining pressure while pursuing diplomatic engagement to end hostilities.

The report did not specify any timeline or details of the potential agreement, leaving uncertainty about how soon the conflict might conclude or what form a settlement could take.

Ted Turner, the legendary media entrepreneur who founded CNN and revolutionized global television news, has died at the age of 87. According to a statement from Turner Enterprises, he passed away on Wednesday at his home in Atlanta, surrounded by close family members.

Born in Ohio, Turner launched the world’s first 24-hour news channel, CNN, on June 1, 1980, transforming the way news was delivered and consumed. Initially dismissed by many as unrealistic, CNN went on to become a trusted global news source, particularly after its live coverage of the 1991 Persian Gulf War, which earned Turner Time magazine’s ‘Man of the Year’ recognition.

Known as the “Mouth of the South” for his outspoken personality, Turner built a vast media empire after inheriting his family’s billboard business at age 24. He revealed in 2018 that he had been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, a neurological disorder, and battled the illness for years. His death marks not only the passing of a pioneering entrepreneur but also the close of a defining chapter in global media history.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the ongoing conflict could end if Iran accepts the proposed conditions. He made the remarks on Wednesday through his social media platform, Truth Social. Trump warned that if Tehran fails to honor an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the United States would resume attacks on Iran with greater intensity.

According to Trump’s post, if Iran complies with the conditions, the operation named “Epic Fury” would conclude, and the blockade would be lifted, reopening the Strait of Hormuz for all, including Iran. However, he cautioned that refusal to cooperate would trigger renewed bombings at a higher scale and intensity.

The statement underscores Trump’s conditional approach to ending hostilities, linking Iran’s compliance with the reopening of the strategic waterway to the cessation of U.S. military actions.

Thirty Democratic members of the US Congress have called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to release detailed information about Israel’s nuclear weapons program. The lawmakers, led by Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro, sent a letter stating that an effective non-proliferation policy in the Middle East cannot be achieved while maintaining official silence on Israel’s nuclear capabilities.

The letter argues that transparency is essential when shaping policies toward Iran’s civilian nuclear program or Saudi Arabia’s nuclear ambitions. The lawmakers said the United States should apply the same nuclear transparency standards to Israel as it does to other countries. They also noted that both Israel and the White House have long maintained ambiguity about whether Israel possesses nuclear weapons.

The lawmakers requested information on Israel’s possible warhead numbers, delivery systems, uranium enrichment capacity, production at the Dimona facility, and the US understanding of Israel’s military doctrine and “red lines.” They emphasized Congress’s constitutional duty to be fully informed about nuclear balance and potential tensions in the Middle East.

Australia has announced the creation of a national fuel reserve of 1 billion liters to address the global energy crisis triggered by the ongoing war in the Middle East. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made the announcement on Wednesday, stating that the government-owned stockpile will primarily ensure long-term supplies of diesel and aviation fuel. He emphasized that the main goal is to protect Australia from the negative impacts of the current crisis. Details of the plan are expected to be presented in next week’s national budget.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen noted that although Australia is one of the few members of the International Energy Agency, it previously had no national fuel reserve. He said the government is preparing for potential future shocks as global conditions become increasingly unstable. Australia currently has only two oil refineries, making it highly vulnerable to disruptions in global supply chains.

The country relies heavily on the Strait of Hormuz for fuel imports, a route that has been nearly closed since February 28 following U.S. and Israeli attacks toward Iran, severely affecting global oil and gas transport.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday called on Iran to surrender, saying the situation was under American control. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said Iran should raise the 'white flag of surrender.' He added that although Tehran was issuing threats of war, it was secretly interested in reaching an agreement.

Trump claimed Iran’s military strength had been exhausted and that the country was only pretending to resist while actually seeking a deal. He praised the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports, describing it as strong and effective, and said no one would dare to break it.

The remarks, reported by Reuters, come amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, with Trump asserting that the blockade was working efficiently and that Iran’s leadership was under pressure to negotiate.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the conclusion of the military operation in Iran, known as 'Operation Epic Fury', during a briefing at the White House on Tuesday. Responding to a question from ABC News, Rubio said the operation, which began on February 28, had achieved its objectives and was now officially over.

Rubio stated that the US defense forces had completed the mission’s goals and were now focusing on a new initiative called 'Project Freedom'. He emphasized that the United States had no plans for any new military operations in Iran and preferred to pursue peace. According to him, the US President seeks a comprehensive agreement and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to restore global stability.

He further noted that issues related to Iran’s nuclear program would be resolved through dialogue, signaling a shift from military engagement to diplomatic negotiation.

The University of South Florida has decided to award posthumous doctoral degrees to Bangladeshi PhD students Jamil Ahmed Limon and Nahida Sultana Brishti, who were victims of a homicide in the United States. The degrees will be conferred on May 9 during the university’s 2026 spring commencement ceremonies, which will take place from Thursday to Sunday and include 8,000 graduating students.

In honor of Limon and Brishti, each ceremony will begin with a minute of silence, and two empty chairs will be placed during the doctoral degree presentation. Among the 353 doctoral recipients this year, their names will also be included.

The two students went missing on April 16, and after eight days, Limon’s body was found near Florida’s Howard Frankland Bridge on April 24. The university was informed of their disappearance by a friend the day after they went missing.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced the suspension of the military operation known as 'Project Freedom' in the Strait of Hormuz. The decision was made public on Tuesday through his social media platform, Truth Social. Trump stated that the move follows progress in negotiations with Iran and requests from several countries, including Pakistan. Despite the suspension, he confirmed that the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports will remain fully in effect.

According to Trump, the suspension aims to allow time to determine whether a final agreement with Iran can be concluded and signed. The announcement comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts and regional developments surrounding control of the Hormuz Strait. The report cites Al Jazeera as its source.

The decision signals a temporary pause in U.S. military activity in the area while diplomatic discussions continue, though no timeline for the next steps has been specified.

The ceasefire between the United States and Iran remains in effect despite renewed clashes around the Strait of Hormuz, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday. He confirmed that President Donald Trump will decide when the truce ends, indicating Washington’s willingness to tolerate limited Iranian attacks during efforts to reopen the waterway under “Project Freedom.” Hegseth emphasized that this mission is separate from the broader US-Israeli campaign against Iran, known as “Epic Fury.”

The Pentagon chief said the US has secured the strait and is coordinating with shipping companies and insurers to restore maritime traffic, though most vessels remain stalled. Monday saw the most intense fighting since the April 8 truce, with both sides reporting attacks and casualties. Iran claimed strikes on US ships, while Washington said it destroyed seven Iranian boats. A South Korean vessel and UAE facilities were also hit.

Oil prices have surged since the conflict began, driving inflation in the US and posing political risks ahead of November’s midterm elections. Hegseth said the US operation is temporary and will eventually be handed over to other nations, though allies have so far declined to join.

The United States Navy has launched a military operation called “Project Freedom” to secure safe passage for commercial vessels through the blocked Strait of Hormuz, according to a US Central Command spokesperson. The operation, which has just begun, aims to reopen the vital waterway that has been effectively sealed by Iran amid the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran that started on February 28. US officials said the initiative is defensive, temporary, and focused on protecting international shipping from Iranian threats involving mines, drones, missiles, and fast-attack craft.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that ten civilian sailors have died in the conflict and that the US Navy destroyed seven Iranian fast boats. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said thousands of commercial vessels remain stranded, while two US-flagged ships have reportedly crossed the strait under military escort. Iran denied any crossings and rejected accusations of attacking the United Arab Emirates, though it admitted firing warning shots at a US warship.

Analysts warned that the operation increases the risk of miscalculation between the US and Iran. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps issued new navigation corridors and threatened a decisive response to violations, while US leaders insisted Iran cannot block international commerce.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has warned that Iran will face a strong military response if any commercial vessel is attacked in the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking at a Pentagon press conference on Tuesday, he issued a clear message to Tehran, urging it not to carry out any form of assault on ships in the strategic waterway.

Hegseth stated that during the ongoing 'Operation Project Freedom,' any targeting of commercial ships would trigger a major military strike against Iran. He added that the United States has established a robust defense system in the Strait of Hormuz to ensure global security.

According to Hegseth, any attack on a vessel would bring serious consequences for Iran, underscoring Washington’s commitment to maintaining maritime safety in the region.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the United States does not want any conflict with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking at a Pentagon press conference, he said Washington is taking necessary steps to ensure free and safe navigation in this vital maritime route. The US has launched an initiative called 'Operation Project Freedom' aimed at protecting international shipping lanes.

Hegseth clarified that the US effort to keep the Strait open does not require entering Iranian airspace or waters. He emphasized that the United States seeks neither tension nor confrontation. According to him, although Iran claims control over the Strait, it does not actually hold such control.

The Defense Secretary added that maintaining stability in this strategically important waterway remains the United States’ primary objective.

A series of Ukrainian drone attacks on an oil refinery and terminal in Tuapse, a coastal city on Russia’s Black Sea, has triggered a severe environmental crisis. The refinery, hit four times in two weeks, caught fire again last Friday, releasing toxic smoke that led to ‘black rain’ falling over the area. Around 30 miles of coastline have been contaminated by spilled oil. Environmentalists have described the incident as one of Russia’s worst ecological disasters since the fall of the Soviet Union.

Thick, acrid smoke has blanketed Tuapse’s skies, and residents report oily, poisonous droplets falling from the air. Vladimir Slivyak, head of the environmental group Ecodefense, warned that carcinogenic substances such as benzene are present, posing serious health risks. Dead fish and dolphins have washed ashore, while local anger grows over what residents see as government indifference. President Vladimir Putin acknowledged the attacks but dismissed them as “no major threat.”

Authorities have reportedly restricted internet and Telegram use to control information. The Kyiv School of Economics estimates Russia’s revenue losses at about $2.2 billion, with refinery reconstruction possibly costing $5 billion. Schools in Tuapse remain closed, and residents are advised to stay indoors and avoid tap water.