US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the House Foreign Affairs Committee that the military operation 'Epic Fury' against Iran has ended, and the United States is no longer conducting regular strikes inside Iran. He claimed the US achieved victory in the campaign, which began on February 28 as a joint US-Israel operation and later spread across the Middle East. According to Rubio, the mission destroyed Iran’s defense infrastructure, reduced missile launchers and drone stockpiles, and crippled its remaining air and naval forces.

Democratic lawmakers rejected Rubio’s assertion, arguing that hostilities continue. They cited an Iranian attack on a Kuwaiti airport that killed one person and injured 63, as well as a drone strike in Bahrain, where US forces are stationed. Representative Sara Jacobs said the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and American troops remain at risk.

Rubio also said talks are underway over Iran’s nuclear program, particularly its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. No peace deal has been reached. The US demands Iran hand over near-weapons-grade uranium, limit nuclear activity, and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran insists on the release of $12 billion in frozen assets before negotiations.

During a congressional hearing on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to confirm whether Israel possesses nuclear weapons when questioned by Democratic Congressman Joaquin Castro. Rubio stated that most countries believe Israel has such weapons but refused to disclose Washington’s official position, suggesting the matter be discussed privately. He acknowledged that avoiding public discussion of Israel’s nuclear capability has long been a feature of US foreign policy.

Castro pressed for a clear answer, arguing that the issue is crucial given US involvement alongside Israel in conflict with Iran. He expressed concern that the US government may lack essential information about Israel’s nuclear limits and decision-making. Rubio responded that the question was fair and said he was willing to address it in a classified setting, noting the need to balance competing interests.

The report also noted that Israel has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and has never officially confirmed possessing nuclear weapons, though some Israeli officials have hinted at their existence.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened immediately after a deal is signed with Tehran. Speaking to reporters at the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump said he intends to keep the effort to reopen the strategic waterway separate from the ongoing war in Lebanon. He emphasized that the reopening would happen quickly.

The report noted that Israeli forces continue heavy attacks across southern Lebanon, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the military operation there will proceed as planned. Trump also told reporters that Washington is interested in taking control of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, saying he wants to obtain it.

According to Trump, only the United States and China possess the necessary equipment to extract the material, and he added that the U.S. would go and retrieve it. The remarks were reported by Middle East Eye.

US President Donald Trump has again emphasized Washington’s interest in taking control of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Speaking at the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump said he wanted to obtain the material, adding that only the United States and China possess the necessary equipment to recover it. He told reporters that the US would go and bring it back.

On the same day, the US House of Representatives passed a war powers bill aimed at limiting President Trump’s authority to conduct military operations against Iran. The proposal, introduced by Democrats, was approved by a vote of 215 to 208 in Washington.

The developments highlight renewed tensions between the US administration and Iran, as well as growing congressional efforts to restrict unilateral military action by the president.

The US House of Representatives has passed a resolution aimed at restricting President Donald Trump’s authority to conduct military operations against Iran. The ‘War Powers’ resolution, introduced by Democrats, was approved in Washington on Wednesday by a 215–208 vote, with four Republican members joining Democrats in support. The measure succeeded partly due to some Republicans’ absence and growing discontent within the party over Trump’s Iran policy.

Trump had pledged during his campaign not to start new wars and initially suggested that any conflict with Iran would end quickly. However, the source notes that resolving tensions through dialogue has become increasingly difficult. This is the first time such a resolution has passed the House after three previous failed attempts.

The decision is expected to influence similar efforts in the Republican-controlled Senate, though any measure would still require the president’s signature to become law. Analysts in Washington described the passage of the resolution from a chamber under partial Republican control as a rare setback for Trump.

The US House of Representatives passed a war powers bill on Wednesday in Washington aimed at limiting President Donald Trump’s authority to conduct military operations against Iran. The resolution, introduced by Democrats, passed by a vote of 215 to 208. It requires the president to withdraw US forces from ongoing hostilities with Iran unless Congress explicitly authorizes military action. This marks the first successful passage of such a measure after three previous failed attempts.

The House decision is expected to influence similar efforts in the Republican-controlled Senate, though any measure would still require the president’s signature to become law. Observers noted that Trump is likely to veto any attempt to restrict his powers. The US Constitution grants Congress, not the White House, the authority to decide on military deployments, and lawmakers have been criticized for neglecting this role in recent years.

Four Republican representatives joined Democrats in supporting the bill, while six Republicans were absent. The Senate’s final vote on a similar proposal remains uncertain, though three Republican senators have already expressed support.

Former US President Donald Trump has told his associates that he would consider ending the ongoing ceasefire with Iran if any American soldiers are killed, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. The report, citing US officials, indicates that despite minor clashes and tensions with Iranian forces, the United States has maintained its decision to suspend major military operations for several weeks.

The report further notes that Trump’s reluctance to initiate a large-scale war suggests he may be willing to tolerate limited skirmishes or tensions for weeks or even months to avoid a broader conflict in the Middle East. However, Al Jazeera stated that it could not independently verify the authenticity of the Wall Street Journal report.

The situation underscores the fragile balance in US-Iran relations, where isolated incidents could potentially escalate into renewed hostilities if American casualties occur.

The United States has proposed new tariffs on imports from 60 countries, including Bangladesh, citing failures to prevent the use of forced labor. According to official documents, the proposed tariffs range from 10 percent to 12.5 percent on goods imported from these countries. The U.S. Trade Representative’s Office (USTR) stated that 54 of the affected countries have failed to effectively ban or enforce restrictions on goods produced through forced labor.

This proposal follows investigations launched by Washington against major trade partners such as China, the European Union, and Japan. The move comes as the Trump administration seeks to restructure its emergency tariff framework, which was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in February.

USTR specified that imports from countries including Canada, Ecuador, the EU, Indonesia, Mexico, Pakistan, Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Malaysia, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom would face an additional 10 percent tariff, while the remaining 45 countries would face a 12.5 percent tariff.

With only days remaining before the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins, football fever has gripped New York. Among the 16 host cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, New York has become the most talked-about destination. Streets, parks, shopping centers, and sports venues are filled with festive energy as the city transforms into what many call the temporary capital of world football. The MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, has been renamed New York New Jersey Stadium under FIFA regulations and will host eight matches, including the final on July 19 and Brazil’s opening game against Morocco on June 13.

The stadium has undergone major renovations, replacing its artificial turf with natural Tahoma 31 Bermuda grass imported from North Carolina. Over 80,000 spectators will be able to attend matches there. Across New York, large public screenings, cultural events, and a 17-day fan fest featuring global artists Nas and Wyclef Jean are planned. Shuttle services will connect Manhattan to the stadium for easier access.

Analysts estimate that the World Cup will generate between $3 billion and $3.3 billion in economic activity in the New York region, benefiting hotels, transport, tourism, and retail sectors.

Surgeon Adam Hamawy, who previously volunteered in Gaza, has won the Democratic primary to represent New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District in the United States. Hamawy worked as a volunteer surgeon in 2024 at the European Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. Despite orders from Israeli forces to evacuate, he refused to abandon his colleagues and patients.

In a joint statement, the Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU) Policy Project and Justice Democrats said voters chose Dr. Hamawy, who personally witnessed the realities of Israel’s actions in Gaza. They described his efforts to save Palestinian children amid bombings and extreme conditions. The two organizations, which financially supported his campaign, also stated on social media that the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) had unsuccessfully tried to influence voters against him.

The victory highlights growing attention to candidates with direct humanitarian experience in conflict zones and signals a challenge to established lobbying influence in U.S. politics.

An Al Jazeera investigative series has revealed that human bodies donated for education and scientific research in the United States were used in training programs involving the US Navy and Israeli military medical teams. The report centers on concerns raised by Miriam Volpin, whose mother had donated her body to the University of Southern California (USC) for research but may have been used in combat-related surgical training linked to conflicts such as Israel’s Gaza operations.

Student journalists from USC and the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) found that since 2018, USC supplied at least 89 preserved bodies to the US Navy for Israeli surgical team training. A 2020 medical paper described a four-day combat trauma surgery course using artificially perfused cadavers to simulate battlefield injuries. USC denied the program was military, calling it educational, while the US Navy said the training aimed to improve trauma surgery skills.

The investigation also found that between 2024 and early 2026, UCSD transferred 124 bodies to USC to meet training demand. Families of donors have expressed anger and ethical concerns, prompting renewed debate over transparency and consent in body donation programs.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s ongoing diplomatic initiative with Iran has entered a new phase of uncertainty following rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The situation escalated on Monday when Israel threatened strikes in southern Beirut against Tehran-backed Hezbollah, coinciding with missile attacks toward Israel. Iran responded by suspending its talks with Washington, citing violations of the ceasefire in Lebanon. Trump described the negotiations as frustrating but launched urgent diplomatic efforts to contain the crisis.

According to White House sources, Trump held an emergency phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, expressing strong disapproval of a potential Lebanese operation. He also reportedly contacted Hezbollah representatives. Later, Trump announced on Truth Social that both sides had agreed to refrain from attacks and that talks with Iran were progressing. Lebanon’s embassy in Washington confirmed Hezbollah would halt strikes if Israel stopped its Beirut operations, while Israel said it would continue actions in southern Lebanon but not target Beirut.

Analysts believe Trump’s intervention temporarily prevented escalation and kept Iran talks alive, though experts warn that deep-rooted mistrust and conflicting regional interests could reignite tensions at any time.

Microsoft is set to showcase major artificial intelligence and Windows developments at its Build conference in San Francisco this week. The company plans to introduce a new reasoning AI model called MAI-Thinking-1, along with MAI-Image-2.5 and MAI-Image-2.5-Flash. Build will also feature details on a forthcoming Copilot “super app” that unifies Microsoft’s various AI assistants into a single interface. Additionally, Microsoft will present a new Windows 11 developer-optimized experience designed to provide a distraction-free environment with pre-installed tools and scripts.

The event comes as Microsoft seeks to rebuild trust among developers and GitHub users amid concerns about reliability and security. The company is also expected to discuss Windows performance improvements, adaptation to new silicon such as Nvidia’s RTX Spark, and ongoing collaboration with Qualcomm to enhance Windows on Arm. Build will highlight Microsoft’s focus on local AI models running directly on Windows, reducing reliance on cloud computing.

The conference begins Tuesday, June 2, and is seen as a pivotal moment for Microsoft as it reshapes its business strategy around AI and developer engagement.

The United States Department of Defense has initiated an 18-month competition titled 'Drone Dominance' to accelerate the expansion of its drone fleet. According to a Washington Post report, the Pentagon aims to identify the most promising manufacturers capable of producing low-cost combat drones. The initiative follows growing recognition of drones’ effectiveness in recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, prompting the U.S. military to seek rapid enhancement of its drone capabilities.

The competition invites both established defense firms and emerging startups, including companies founded by drone racers and hobbyists. The winning firms could receive contracts worth up to $1.1 billion to produce as many as three million drones. The drones being tested cost around $5,000 each and are designed for single-use missions. Early rounds of the contest, such as one held at Fort Benning, Georgia, saw 26 companies participate, with British firm Skycutter emerging as a top performer.

Pentagon officials stated that future warfare will likely depend heavily on affordable swarms of drones, and the program aims to bypass lengthy procurement processes to foster faster innovation.

The U.S. Department of Defense has imposed new restrictions on journalists’ direct access to its press office, designating the area as a “sensitive classified information center.” Acting Press Secretary Joel Valdez said the move aims to ensure security, as officials regularly handle confidential materials. Under the new rules, journalists can only enter the offices of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs and the Press Secretary by prior appointment, and additional movement controls have been introduced across Pentagon press areas.

U.S. media outlets claim that since President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, access for journalists to government offices has been gradually reduced. In March, the Pentagon announced that no media outlet would be allowed to maintain a permanent office inside the building. Journalists are now also required to be escorted by security personnel within the complex, a policy already facing legal challenges.

The National Press Club and Freedom of the Press Foundation have both criticized the decision, warning that it undermines transparency and accountability. They questioned the justification for labeling the press office as a classified zone and expressed concern about declining public trust in defense communications.