Steve Witkoff

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reported that President Vladimir Putin is prepared to meet US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Russia. The meeting aims to discuss Ukraine, though Lavrov stated that the outcome of the discussions depends on the proposals they bring.

U.S. and Qatari officials report progress in negotiations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with draft agreement language circulated. The U.S. has nearly depleted its stockpile of long-range missiles during the conflict with Iran, raising concerns about deterrence capabilities. A projectile attack on an Indian-flagged vessel near Yemen, attributed to the Houthis, and suspected Iranian cyberattacks on U.S. water utilities were also reported.

The U.S., Iran, and Oman are nearing an interim agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with a potential Wednesday announcement. The deal includes a 60-day temporary arrangement for ship traffic lanes and mine clearance, contingent on Iranian leadership approval. President Trump has delayed potential strikes to allow diplomacy, but risks remain if an agreement is not finalized.

Zelensky stated Ukraine is in daily contact with Trump’s team and prepared for meetings in any format. He anticipates increased involvement from Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in August, with some diplomatic efforts remaining 'non-public.'

US President Donald Trump announced a temporary halt on potential attacks against Iran in hopes of a quick deal to prevent Iran's nuclear ambitions and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Iran warned the US against attacks, vowing retaliation, while Trump stated Israel supports the decision. Middle Eastern countries and US officials, including Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, are involved in ongoing negotiations.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced intensified diplomatic efforts to resume peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, acknowledging rigid red lines from both sides. US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Kyiv later in August, following multiple trips to Moscow.

The White House announced a framework to demilitarize Gaza, requiring Hamas to disarm and Israel to withdraw its military forces. However, Hamas and Israel have conflicting conditions for implementation, with Hamas demanding Israel's withdrawal before disarmament and Israel insisting on Hamas disarming first. The plan, led by Trump officials, aims to transform a 20-point proposal into an actionable roadmap, with estimated implementation taking 200-350 days.

US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to make their first visit to Kyiv around Ukraine’s Independence Day celebrations.

A Quinnipiac University poll shows majority of American voters believe the war with Iran will last at least a year, with 60% opposing the war and 54% saying the U.S. is not winning. Voters express low confidence in Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff as negotiators, and 32% approve of President Donald Trump, a record low. The poll also indicates 59% of voters think the economy is worsening, with Democrats showing higher midterm election enthusiasm than Republicans.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed reviving peace talks with Russia and Ukraine’s production of Patriot missile interceptors. Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine’s need for anti-ballistic missile systems during meetings with Trump and U.S. senators, while Trump reiterated his commitment to granting Ukraine a license to produce Patriot interceptors. The visit also addressed stalled diplomacy and U.S. military aid delays.

Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Kyiv for the first time after previously traveling to Moscow, following an hour-long meeting between Zelensky and Trump at the White House.

Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during separate White House visits. Trump praised Ukraine's military progress and agreed to send envoys to Ukraine, while showing impatience with Netanyahu over Iran-related disagreements. The White House described both meetings as 'positive and productive.'

U.S. officials believe economic sanctions and financial pressure may cause more damage to Iran than military strikes, as the country faces a deepening economic crisis with gasoline shortages. Mediators including Oman, Qatar, and Pakistan are facilitating talks to convert a temporary pause in U.S. attacks into a lasting ceasefire, with discussions focusing on Iran's access to frozen assets and control over the Strait of Hormuz.

A venture capitalist, Nic Carter, declined to join World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a crypto venture linked to the Trump family, after its cofounder Steve Witkoff demonstrated limited crypto knowledge and mispronounced 'memecoin' as 'me-me' coins. WLFI, which included Trump and his sons as cofounders, received a $45 million investment from crypto billionaire Justin Sun in 2024 before he later sued the project for fraud.

US and Iranian negotiators are expected to continue talks in Oman, with the US delegation including Vice President JD Vance, Jared Kushner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is in Muscat, and Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei accused the US of violating a memorandum through recent air strikes and restrictions on oil exports, stating Iran did not request negotiations but accepts mediator visits to Tehran.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich claimed that US envoy Steve Witkoff referred to Gaza's population as 'two million Nazis' during a private meeting. Smotrich stated this at a conference, citing a conversation after Witkoff's visit to Gaza in August. Witkoff publicly framed his Gaza visit as an effort to aid food and medical deliveries.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich claimed US envoy Steve Witkoff called Gaza's population 'two million Nazis' during a private meeting. Smotrich also advocated for permanent Israeli territorial expansion in Lebanon during a conference.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich claimed US envoy Steve Witkoff referred to Gaza's population as 'two million Nazis' during a private meeting. Smotrich, a far-right minister, also advocated for permanent Israeli territorial expansion in Lebanon and has previously called for expelling Palestinians from Gaza. The International Criminal Court is reportedly considering charges against Smotrich for alleged crimes in the West Bank.

President Donald Trump warned that the U.S. plans to bomb Iran again as soon as Wednesday night, targeting Kharg Island, Iran's primary oil export hub. Trump claimed the U.S. already struck targets on Kharg Island the previous night, though the Pentagon has not confirmed this. He stated the ceasefire with Iran is over and expressed frustration with Iran's negotiation tactics.

President Donald Trump declared the ceasefire with Iran is over after recent attacks, stating he may launch further strikes. He criticized Iran as 'scum' and 'liars,' and mentioned potential attacks on civilian infrastructure, while U.S. and Iranian forces exchanged strikes following a previous interim deal.

Trump stated that the U.S. 'hit them very hard last night' and 'probably hit them hard again tonight' regarding Iran, declaring the Washington ceasefire with Iran over. He mentioned plans to consult with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on negotiations but dismissed further talks as 'a waste of time' due to Iran's 'liars' reputation.

Trump declared the ceasefire with Iran is over, calling Iranians 'scum' and 'liars' during a NATO summit in Ankara. He accused Iran of misrepresenting the terms of the June 17 agreement and stated he would not engage further with them.

JD Vance has positioned himself as a key political figure through a bestselling book, a role in brokering a tentative peace deal with Iran, and extensive media appearances. His rising favorability among Republicans and President Trump's endorsement highlight his potential as Trump's political heir for the 2028 election.

Steve Witkoff, a White House special envoy, has met with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia seven times since President Trump returned to office. The article also mentions that Witkoff and Kushner are focused on Iran as the Ukraine War escalates.

U.S. and Iranian negotiators met separately in Qatar with mediators, making 'positive progress' and agreeing to continue discussions after Iran's late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's funeral. Key issues include control of the Strait of Hormuz and Lebanon, with Iran insisting on regulating shipping routes and charging fees, while the U.S. and Gulf states oppose such charges.

The article discusses how the term 'ceasefire' is being misused in the Middle East, with ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran despite declared agreements. Analysts argue that real hostilities continue, and the concept of a ceasefire is losing its traditional meaning as trust erodes between parties like the U.S. and Iran.

The article discusses the ambiguity of 'ceasefire' in the Middle East, highlighting ongoing conflicts despite agreements, such as Israel's attacks on Gaza, Lebanon's ineffective ceasefire, and stalled Iran-US talks in Qatar. Experts argue that ceasefires no longer guarantee halted hostilities, citing examples like the Korean Armistice Agreement.

Ceasefire agreements in the Mideast are not stopping ongoing fighting, as seen in Israel's attacks on Gaza, a Lebanon deal labeled 'ceasefire in name only,' and stalled U.S.-Iran negotiations. Analysts argue that modern ceasefires no longer guarantee pauses in hostilities, citing examples like the Korean Armistice Agreement, which technically keeps the Korean Peninsula at war despite a 1953 halt in combat.

Indirect U.S.-Iran talks have resumed, with U.S. official Vance stating the 'core mission' has been achieved. Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with mediators in Qatar, but not directly with Iranian representatives.

President Trump considered escalating military action against Iran but opted for continued diplomatic negotiations, with officials noting flexibility on a nuclear deal deadline. Oman proposed a voluntary fee system for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, while Saudi Arabia blocked a U.S. operation there, prompting U.S. threats to reduce military support. In Lebanon, 400,000 displaced people have returned to southern regions amid ongoing Israeli military presence.

Indirect U.S.-Iran talks have resumed, with U.S. official Vance stating the 'core mission' has been achieved. Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with mediators in Qatar, but not directly with Iranian representatives.

A foreign container ship ran aground in the Strait of Hormuz after not following Iran’s approved route, as reported by Iranian state television. The incident highlights tensions over Iran’s claims to control shipping routes in the strait, amid ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations in Qatar aimed at resolving disputes, including passage fees and security issues.

A foreign container ship ran aground in the Strait of Hormuz after deviating from Iran's approved route. Iranian state TV emphasized Tehran's claims to control the strait, citing incidents where Iran attacked ships violating its route mandates, including one carrying oil from Qatar.

A foreign container ship ran aground in the Strait of Hormuz after not following Iran's approved route, as reported by Iranian state TV. The incident underscores Iran's claims to control the strait, which it disputes with the U.S. and Gulf Arab states over passage fees and routing. Recent tensions include Iran attacking two ships for violating its route rules and a U.S. envoy's ongoing negotiations in Qatar.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani reaffirmed Qatar's role as a mediator in US-Iran negotiations during talks with US envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner. Doha stated its commitment to supporting efforts to implement a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the Middle East war.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani met US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Doha to discuss Iran-US negotiations. Qatar's Foreign Ministry confirmed ongoing mediation efforts and technical talks between Iran and the US, with no high-level meetings currently underway. The ceasefire in Lebanon was also addressed during the discussions.

U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Qatar for talks with mediators about implementing a deal to end the war in Iran, though direct negotiations with Iranian diplomats are not planned. The discussions follow recent clashes over the Strait of Hormuz and involve efforts to release frozen Iranian assets and reopen shipping lanes.

Two U.S. envoys arrived in Qatar for indirect talks on implementing an interim deal to end the war in Iran, as tensions escalate over the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. and Iran agreed to an interim deal involving uranium dilution and sanctions relief, but direct negotiations are not planned. Iran is sending a delegation to discuss frozen assets, while crossfire in the Persian Gulf disrupts shipping and risks derailing broader agreements.

U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Qatar for indirect talks with mediators about an interim deal to end the Iran conflict, while tensions persist over the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's refusal to meet directly with U.S. officials. An interim agreement includes uranium dilution, sanctions relief, and efforts to reopen the strait, but previous negotiations have failed, leading to recent wars and attacks.

Two U.S. envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, arrived in Qatar for indirect talks on implementing an initial deal to end the war in Iran, mediated by Qatari officials. Discussions focus on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and releasing $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets, amid ongoing tensions and attacks in the region.