May 23 Pentagon proposing troop reinforcements in Mideast By Lolita Baldor, Robert Burns, Associated Press Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan told reporters the Defense Department has not yet determined how many troops might be sent to reinforce the existing U.S. military presence in the region. He disputed reports by The Associated Press and others that… Continue reading
May 21 Dual congressional hearings focus on Trump's Iran policy By Lisa Mascaro, Robert Burns, Susannah George, Associated Press The competing closed-door sessions Tuesday come after weeks of escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf that have raised alarms over a possible military confrontation with Iran. Continue reading
May 14 WATCH: Trump says U.S. isn't ramping up for military conflict with Iran By Associated Press The president was responding to a report that the White House is reviewing military plans against Iran if it attacks American forces or steps up work on nuclear weapons. Continue reading
May 06 U.S. dispatches aircraft carrier to send message to Iran By Robert Burns, Catherine Lucey, Associated Press The dispatch came after "clear indications" that Iranian forces were preparing to possibly attack U.S. forces in the region, a defense official told the Associated Press. Continue reading
Apr 15 U.S. terror label for Iran Revolutionary Guard takes effect By Matthew Lee, Associated Press The U.S. terrorism label for Iran's Revolutionary Guard formally took effect on Monday, amid a battle between the Trump administration and some in Congress over waivers on oil and nuclear sanctions that are due to expire or be extended early… Continue reading
Apr 08 U.S. declares Iran's guard force a 'terrorist organization' By Matthew Lee, Associated Press President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. is designating Iran's Revolutionary Guard a "foreign terrorist organization," in an effort to increase pressure on the country that could have significant diplomatic implications in the Middle East. Continue reading
Feb 19 Michael Flynn pushed to share nuclear tech with Saudis, report says By Chad Day, Associated Press Senior White House officials pushed a project to share nuclear power technology with Saudi Arabia despite the objections of ethics and national security officials, according to a new congressional report citing whistleblowers within the administration. Continue reading
Feb 14 Mike Pence urges Europe to quit Iran deal, stop busting sanctions By Matthew Lee, Associated Press The Trump administration lashed out at some of America's closest traditional allies on Thursday, accusing Britain, France and Germany of trying to bust U.S. sanctions against Iran and calling on European nations to join the United States in withdrawing from… Continue reading
Feb 13 Watch 9:29 Iran is responsible for Yemen's humanitarian crisis, says Pompeo Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is in Poland leading an international conference on Middle East peace and security with representatives from roughly 70 countries. From Warsaw, he talks to Judy Woodruff about the meeting's historic significance, why Iran continues to… Continue watching
Feb 13 At least 20 Revolutionary Guard personnel killed in Iran bombing, state media reports By Amir Vahdat, Jon Gambrell, Associated Press There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, which came on the day of a U.S.-led conference in Warsaw that included discussions on what America describes as Iran's malign influence across the wider Mideast. Continue reading