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 sanctions three Iranian spies over role in FBI agent's 2007 disappearance

The US sanctioned the officials for involvement in the "abduction, detention, and probable death of former FBI Special Agent Robert A. Levinson."

Robert Levinson

State Dept. says all waivers providing Iran economic relief are under review

"We are reviewing all existing sanctions waivers that provide Iran any degree of economic or financial relief," State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said.

 Iran's and US' flags are seen printed on paper in this illustration taken January 27, 2022.

US State Department officials were 'hostile' towards Israel during war, former envoy says - report

“There are many within the State Department who are not just unfriendly to Israel, but outright hostile,” former Israeli Ambassador to the US Michael Herzog said.

 U.S. President Joe Biden attends a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as he visits Israel amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel, October 18, 2023.

Rubio signs declaration to expedite delivery of $4 billion in military aid to Israel

Rubio said he had used emergency authority to expedite the delivery of military assistance to Israel to its Middle East ally, now in a fragile ceasefire with Hamas militants in their war in Gaza.

 US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attend a press conference at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem, February 16, 2025.

Trump orders revamp of US diplomatic corps to ensure they follow his agenda

Donald Trump has ordered a major State Department overhaul, empowering Rubio to reshape foreign service and enforce an "America First" agenda amid growing bureaucratic upheaval.

 Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump and and Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) react during a campaign event at Dorton Arena, in Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S. November 4, 2024.

Speechwriter fired over white nationalist ties appointed to high-level State Department role

Trump administration draws fire for naming Darren Beattie, a former White House staffer dismissed over white nationalist ties, to senior State Department role shaping public diplomacy.

 Darren Beattie, a former White House speechwriter who attended a conference with white supremacists, speaks at a "Symposium at the Wall," a 2019 gathering on border security, immigration asylum and other issues in Sunland Park, New Mexico.

Trump announces sweeping first-day executive orders and record declassifications

Classified documents regarding the assassinations of JFK, RFK, and MLK are to be released. Trump added that "other topics of great interest" will have classified records declassified.

 U.S. President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a rally the day before he is scheduled to be inaugurated for a second term, in Washington, U.S., January 19, 2025.

Israeli regional power should be embraced, says ex-US State Department adviser

During a roundtable discussion hosted by the JCFA and attended by ‘The Post,’ Hazem Alghabra, a former senior US State Department adviser, suggested Israel extend a message of peace to Syria.

 Hazem Alghabra and JCFA President Dan Diker.

Venezuela's Maduro says two US citizens arrested among group of 'mercenaries'

Maduro said the detained US citizens were "very high level" but did not provide further details or evidence of the arrests.

 PRESIDENT OF VENEZUELA Nicolás Maduro speaks to the press in Caracas.

US proposes $8b. arms deal with Israel, including fighter jet munitions

The deal would need approval from House and Senate committees and includes artillery shells and air-to-air missiles for fighter jets to defend against threats such as drones.

 US President Joe Biden (Illustrative)