The Latest: Iran says it has accepted a 2-week ceasefire in the war
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council says it has accepted a two-week ceasefire in the war. Its statement said it would negotiate with the United States in Islamabad beginning Friday. U.S. President Donald Trump says he’s pulling back on his threats to widen attacks on Iran. The president says that includes an array of bridges, power plants and other civilian targets — subject to Iran being ready for a two-week ceasefire and to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Trump’s latest threat over the Iran war hit a new extreme earlier Tuesday when he warned, “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again,” if Iran fails to make a deal that includes reopening the vital Strait of Hormuz.
US and Iran agree to 2-week ceasefire as Trump pulls back on threats
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump pulls back on his threats to launch devastating strikes on Iran, swerving to deescalate the war less than two hours before the deadline he set for Tehran to capitulate. Trump said he was holding off on threatened attacks on Iranian bridges and power plants, as the U.S. and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire that includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Israel said it backed the U.S. ceasefire with Iran but that the deal doesn’t cover fighting against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Trump initially had said Iran proposed a “workable” 10-point plan that could help end the war launched by the U.S. and Israel in February. But he later called it fraudulent, without elaborating.
How Trump's deadline delays and threats escalated leading up to 2-week ceasefire with Iran
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is suspending his threatened attack against Iran less than two hours before the deadline the president set for Tehran. It's the latest in a series of deadline delays and use of menacing rhetoric that included Trump’s threat earlier Tuesday that “a whole civilization will die tonight." The Republican president initially set a deadline for March 23 but postponed it several times to Tuesday at 8 p.m. Eastern. On Truth Social, Trump posted that he agrees to withhold “the bombing and attack of Iran” for two weeks, subject to Iran immediately opening the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials said they had accepted a two-week ceasefire and that passage through the Strait of Hormuz would be allowed for that same period.
Russia and China veto watered-down UN resolution aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Russia and China have vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The resolution, sponsored by Bahrain, had been repeatedly watered down because of opposition from Russia and China. The vote took place just hours before an 8 p.m. Eastern time deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump for Iran to open the strategic waterway or face attacks on its power plants and bridges. One-fifth of the world’s oil typically passes through the strait, and Iran’s stranglehold during the war has sent energy prices soaring.
Gunmen attack police near building housing Israeli Consulate in Istanbul
ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkish officials say that gunmen attacked police outside a building housing the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul. The gunbattle left one assailant dead and two police officers wounded. Two other assailants were captured on Tuesday. The attackers carried long-barreled weapons. The area surrounding the building was quickly sealed off. Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci said that at least one of the attackers was linked to a group he said was “exploiting religion” without naming the organization. Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said that an investigation has been launched. The consulate is located in a high-rise building.
On Hungary visit, Vance urges voters to support Orbán days before pivotal election
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — U.S. Vice President JD Vance says he is in Hungary to support Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's reelection bid. Vance's visit to Budapest on Tuesday marks a clear endorsement from President Donald Trump's administration for Orbán, who is trailing in the polls ahead of Sunday's election. Orbán, a close Trump ally, is running for his fifth term against a strong center-right challenger. Despite Vance's support, he criticized the EU for interfering in Hungary's election. Orbán has been a controversial figure, known for his nationalist policies and opposition to immigration.
American journalist Shelly Kittleson has been released week after kidnapping in Iraq, Rubio says
BAGHDAD (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has confirmed that American journalist Shelley Kittleson, who was kidnapped last week in Iraq, has been released. Kittleson was abducted by the Iran-backed Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah from a street corner in Baghdad on March 31. Rubio said in a statement posted on X, “We are relieved that this American is now freed and are working to support her safe departure from Iraq.” He thanked Iraqi authorities, as well as the FBI and U.S. defense department and other U.S. agencies for their work toward securing Kittleson’s release.
Oil prices sink and US stock futures jump as US and Iran agree to 2-week ceasefire
NEW YORK (AP) — Oil prices plunged below $100 a barrel and Asia markets and U.S. stock futures jumped after the U.S. and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire that includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 4.8% and South Korea’s Kospi gained 5.6%. Futures for the S&P 500 advanced 2.3%. Futures for U.S. crude oil sank 14.3% to $96.83 a barrel and Brent crude oil, the international standard, dropped 13.3% to $94.74. The dramatic moves in prices are just the latest swings to hit financial markets since late February because of constantly shifting signals about when the conflict may end.
Wireless Festival canceled after UK bars rapper Ye over antisemitic remarks
LONDON (AP) — The British government has blocked the rapper formerly known as Kanye West from entering the U.K. as the controversy over his antisemitic statements led to calls for planned headline performances at a major music festival to be canceled. Ye had been expected to perform in front of around 150,000 revelers July 10-12 at the open-air Wireless Festival in London. Following the government ban on his entry to the country, the event organizers said it had been canceled. The ban on Ye comes after U.K. officials and Jewish leaders condemned his history of antisemitic remarks.
Trump-endorsed Republican Clay Fuller wins Marjorie Taylor Greene’s former House seat in Georgia
RINGGOLD, Ga. (AP) — Republican Clay Fuller has won Marjorie Taylor Greene’s former U.S. House seat in Georgia. Fuller’s special election win Tuesday bolsters a slim GOP majority. President Donald Trump in February endorsed Fuller, a former district attorney, propelling him to the front of a large field. Fuller beat Democrat Shawn Harris, who led the first round of voting in March but couldn’t overcome the northwest Georgia district’s strongly Republican tilt. But he will have to run again later this year to secure a full two-year term. Greene, once among Trump’s most ardent supporters, resigned in January after a falling out with the president.
