State department

Israel, Lebanon agree on 45-day ceasefire extension, negotiation to continue on two tracks

Both Israel and Lebanon have agreed on a framework for negotiations, including “full recognition of each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity."

 Counselor of US State Department Michael Needham, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Michael Waltz, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa, Lebanese Ambassador to the U.S. Nada Hamadeh Moawad and Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter pose for photos
US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa holds an "America is back" hat signed by US President Donald Trump next to Lebanon Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh Moawad, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump in the Oval Office at the White House, in Washington DC, April 23, 2026.

Third round of Israel-Lebanon peace talks 'productive, positive' so far, US official says

A large US flag flies outside the White House in Washington, DC on November 23, 2025.

US imposes new Iran sanctions, warns shipping companies not to pay Hormuz tolls

CCTV footage from IDF interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, May 1, 2026.

Israel's arrest of Gaza flotilla activists a 'brazen violation of int'l law,' Mamdani charges


US imposes sanctions targeting Hezbollah financial network, State Department says

According to the statement, the sanctions are intended to disrupt fundraising and money laundering activities carried out on behalf of Hezbollah’s finance team.

Photos of prominent Hezbolla leaders are seen at the site of a reported IDF air strike on March 19, 2026 in Baalbek, Lebanon.

US State Department partners with El Al to return American citizens from Israel

According to the State Department, El Al has returned over 2,000 Americans to the United States since the beginning of Operation Epic Fury, in flights exclusively designated for US citizens.

El Al plane takes off at the Ben Gurion International Airport, outside of Tel Aviv, March 5, 2026.

Iranian missile fragment hits US consul residence building in Israel, no injuries

"The United States strongly condemns Iran and Iran-backed terrorist militias' attacks on diplomatic, military, and civilian infrastructure in the region," a US State Department spokesperson said.

The US Embassy in Jerusalem

US State Dept. urges Americans to leave Iraq, removes non-essential employees from Oman

Earlier on Saturday, the US Embassy in Baghdad was hit by a missile attack, Iraqi security sources told Reuters.

An Iraqi army Humvee stands guard near the U.S. Embassy, after Iraqi security sources said the embassy was hit in a missile attack, in Baghdad, Iraq, March 14, 2026.

US has arranged nearly 50 charter flights from Middle East amid Iran strikes, State Dept says

The department said on Wednesday it would scale down charter flights and ground transport options because commercial flight availability is improving.

A woman speaks on her phone after airlines issued notices of flight cancellations amid the Middle East conflict, at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on March 3, 2026.

Iranian debris damages UAE petrol facility, drones damage Bahraini residences, injures 32 civilians

Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar also came under attack, as Oman's Muscat airport limited private jet flights into the Gulf State's capital.

Fire and smoke rise in the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone, caused by debris after interception of a drone by air defenses, UAE, March 4, 2026; illustrative.

Iranian ships leave Chinese port with suspected missile fuel during war - report

Two sanctioned Iranian vessels departed a Chinese chemical port carrying what experts say may be sodium perchlorate, a key missile fuel ingredient, raising questions about Beijing’s Tehran relations.

Container ship Valili carrying Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) cargo is seen in the waters of Singapore Strait off Sentosa island February 6, 2012; illustrative.

Half of US citizens seeking help leaving Middle East turn down available gov't recommended options

The State Department claims to have directly assisted over 19,000 Americans abroad with security guidance and travel assistance through its 24/7 Task Force

Tourists wait to board buses that will evacuate them to the Taba border crossing with Egypt in Tel Aviv on March 4, 2026. Israel launched fresh strikes on Iran and Lebanon, where state media reported a residential building was hit on March 4.

US skips congressional review to approve munitions sale to Israel

Israel had requested 12,000 BLU-110A/B general-purpose, 1,000-pound bomb bodies, with Marco Rubio having determined that the sale was in the US's "national security interests."

Thick smoke rises over western areas of Tehran following continued US and Israeli strikes on the Iranian capital in Tehran, Iran, on March 03, 2026.

US, Venezuela agree to re-establish diplomatic, consular relations

Meanwhile, White House official Stephen Miller told a gathering of Latin American military leaders on Thursday that drug cartels can only be defeated with military force.

Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez meets with US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, in Caracas, Venezuela, March 4, 2026.