Iran War

We are now learning that Iran has rejected another round of peace talks with the United States. This comes just hours after President Donald Trump said the talks in Pakistan would be Iran's "last chance" to sign a deal. Trump made the comments to Fox News' Trey Yingst as the war against Iran continues to cause instability across the Middle East. LiveNOW's Andy Mac is speaking to Will Weissert of The Associated Press after President Trump says that the U.S. has forcibly seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz after it attempted to breach the ongoing blockade. 

Retired Marine Corps intelligence officer and strategic risk assessment professional Hal Kempfer joins LiveNOW’s Austin Westfall to speak about the latest updates coming out of the Middle East. We learned this weekend that Iran has now re-closed the critical Strait of Hormuz in response to the blockade from the United States on Iranian ships and ports. This comes as, according to early reports, a 10-day ceasefire in Israel and Lebanon began at midnight Friday and appears to be holding. 

According to new reporting from Reuters, some officials in the United States have told their European counterparts that some previously contracted weapons deliveries are likely to be delayed. This comes as the Iran war reportedly draws on weapons stocks. LiveNOW’s Austin Westfall is speaking with Gram Slattery, a White House correspondent for Reuters, as President Donald Trump recently suggested a second round of direct peace talks could happen this weekend. 

Nationwide, average gas prices have climbed by over a dollar per gallon since the start of conflict between the United States and Iran. According to experts, these elevated prices are anticipated to continue throughout the summer months. This comes as President Donald Trump says the price of oil might remain high even through the November midterm elections. LiveNOW’s Alexandra Goldberg is speaking with Phil Rosen, the chief market strategist for ProCap Financial, after markets recently reacted to conversations between the ​U.S. and Iran that took place in Pakistan over the weekend. 

We are getting reactions after President Donald Trump referenced China in a post on social media, saying they're "very happy" that he is reopening the Strait of Hormuz. This comes as both Iran and the United States have expressed interest in returning to in-person negotiations to reach a peace deal. LiveNOW’s Austin Westfall is speaking with national security analyst, Hal Kempfer, as two U.S. officials indicated that discussions for another meeting were ongoing and could happen as soon as Thursday. 

LiveNOW’s Mike Pache is speaking with economic strategist, Dan Varroney as average gas prices nationwide are up more than $1 per gallon since the war in Iran began at the end of February. According to experts, prices at the pump are expected to remain high through the summer. This comes as President Donald Trump says a second round of talks between the United States and Iran could happen "over the next two days," according to a recent interview with the New York Post. 

The U.S. Central Command is currently working to maintain a blockade of all Iranian ports starting Monday. This follows President Donald Trump's Sunday announcement that the Navy would restrict all maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The decision comes after weekend ceasefire negotiations with Iran failed to progress. Maritime analyst Sal Mercogliano joins LiveNOW's Andy Mac to discuss the potential consequences should the Strait of Hormuz stay closed to Iranian vessels.