World

We are learning more this week as President Donald Trump says the United States will give Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot air defense systems. Experts say the move could mark a significant shift from supplying Kyiv with American-made weapons to helping Ukraine produce them itself. LiveNOW’s Andy Mac is speaking with global shipping expert Sal Mercogliano as Ukrainian ​drones reportedly struck three Russian oil refineries this week as the war between the two nations continues. 

We are watching as President Donald Trump travels back from a NATO summit in Turkey that he took part in this week. “I have a threat all the time. I’m No. 1 on their list,” he said during the trip, repeating comments from earlier Wednesday that he is one of Iran’s top assassination targets. President Trump also took part of the trip on the new Qatari jet that will serve as Air Force One in the future. His first flight on the new jet was to North Dakota last week. 

At least 108 ships passed through the strait over the weekend, according to data firm Kpler.

Funeral services for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei continued Sunday as the United States presses ahead with negotiations aimed at fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz.The U.S. Navy described traffic along the vital waterway as steady but below prewar levels. The threat level, however, remained "substantial" as crews worked to clear mines and survey the strait. 

LiveNOW’s Anna Marsick is speaking with James “Jim” S. Gilmore III, a former U.S. Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) as President Donald Trump prepares to travel to Turkey for a NATO summit this week. President Trump has continued to push NATO allies to spend more on defense. However, heading into this week’s summit, the president’s top concern appears to have shifted. "We don’t need their money — we don’t need anything. I just want loyalty," Trump said during a visit last month by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. 

Peace talks between Washington and Tehran appear to be on hold while Iranians mourn Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed by U.S. forces in the opening moments of the conflict. Even as the six-day ceremony continued, Iran's top negotiator warned France and the U.K. over comments about the two nations potentially launching joint patrols in the Strait of Hormuz. 

A warning has been issued to the United States and Israel ahead of the funeral for Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Peace negotiations between the United States and Iran continued Wednesday in Qatar, although the two sides did not meet with each other. Pakistani and Qatari mediators met with delegations from both nations.

Two U.S. envoys are in the Middle East on Wednesday to continue peace negotiations to end the Iran war.

We are now hearing new reporting that indicates Russian President Vladimir Putin has now publicly acknowledged that Ukrainian long-range strikes are creating fuel supply problems. Video from inside Russia reportedly shows long lines and fights erupting at filling stations across several regions. LiveNOW’s Austin Westfall is learning more about how these shortages could impact ongoing conflict in the region with retired Marine Corps intelligence officer and strategic risk assessment professional, Hal Kempfer. 

The United States and Iran are both sending representatives to Qatar this week; however, whether they will meet with each other is still in dispute.