U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivers a post-meeting media briefing in Bahrain following talks with Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers. Secretary Rubio begins with an outline of the U.S. crisis response to the requests from the Venezuela government, the Iran peace process, regional security, U.S.-Italy relations involving Giorgia Meloni, questions regarding JD Vance, and broader diplomatic priorities shaping Washington’s foreign policy agenda. WATCH:

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio continues his trip through the Middle East talking to U.S. allies and stakeholders about the terms and conditions of the ceasefire with Iran.   Today Secretary Rubio is in Kuwait.

Arriving in Kuwait, Secretary Rubio discusses his previous conversation with the UAE and sets the baseline for the discussions moving forward.  As noted by Rubio, these are strategic partners in the region who have a vested interest in the outcome of the Iran negotiations. Rubio is in the region to listen to their concerns and affirm the U.S. strategic partnership.

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio gives an impromptu press availability and answers questions from members of media in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The Rubio visit comes as the U.S. is working with Gulf Arab partners (GCC) to construct the second phase of an agreement with Iran.  The current terms cover a ‘ceasefire’ and the Gulf Cooperation Council play a major role in the regional decisions as partners to the United States.

“We know what [Iran] agreed to do. Now they’ll either do it or they won’t and if they do the process moves forward and if they don’t the president will have some decisions to make.”…

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Vice President JD Vance delivers an update today (Mon) from Switzerland, following ceasefire negotiations with Iran aimed at fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz and reducing fighting between Israel and the Iranian-backed militia group Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The talks, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan, began Sunday and stretched into the early hours of Monday. While the high-level discussions have concluded, technical negotiations are expected to continue in Switzerland this week. Vance said the talks did not produce a final peace agreement but did establish diplomatic, deconfliction, security and nuclear-monitoring frameworks needed to pursue a broader and more permanent regional settlement.  WATCH:

Questions from the media begin at 3:20 of the video below.

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As VP Vance departs Switzerland, he also gave some brief remarks to the traveling press pool (below).

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On the heels of the G7 in France, U.S. President Trump and Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni have been engaged in a geopolitical spat.

The core of the issue centers on Italy’s refusal to allow the U.S. military to conduct flight operations for the conflict against Iran from U.S. airbases in Italy.   President Trump, Vice-President Vance, Secretary of State Rubio and Secretary Hegseth have all remarked on their disappointment with Italy and Spain that has led to a full review of U.S. NATO operations in Europe.

The issue became personal at the G7 when President Trump ignored Meloni’s repeated attempts to repair the friction. President Trump was no longer tolerating the two-faced approach. Actions speak louder than words.

Understanding, a very specific image sensitivity Prime Minister Meloni carries, President Trump stated, “Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni asked, over and over, for a picture with me during the G-7 meeting in France. She is doing poorly in Italy with her level of popularity, possibly because she turned down the United States of America, a Country that truly loves and protects Italy, when it came to denying Iran from obtaining or developing a Nuclear Weapon (But so did NATO, for that matter!). She wouldn’t even let us use Italy’s landing strips or runways, a great logistical inconvenience, and this despite the fact the U.S. contributes hundreds of Billions of Dollars a year to protect Italy, and other “so-called” NATO Allies. Now, after the United States defeated Iran militarily, she wants to be friends again in order to get her “numbers up.” No thanks!!! ~ President DJT

Meloni then hit back with: “these constant, unprovoked attacks are senseless.  As for my popularity, being your friend certainly has not helped it, nor does it depend on my relationship with you. My popularity depends on my ability to defend Italy’s national interest, and that is exactly what I have always done,” Meloni said in a post on Instagram. She added that “in any case, my popularity is none of your concern. I suggest you focus on yours.” {source}

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President Trump holds a bilateral discussion with the President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.  During the media questions President Trump noted he would like to read the negotiated memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the U.S, Gulf State Allies and Iran.

President Trump was then asked about DC politicians who are requesting that congress be involved in approving the Iran deal.  The reason congress, Mark Levin and Laura Loomer are demanding legislative input is because the American Israeli Political Action Committee (AIPAC) has paid congressional representatives for influence.  Israel is hoping to block or change the agreement by leveraging their purchased allies in congress.  President Trump notes he did not think about taking the deal to congress, but he likes the idea.  WATCH:

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President Trump announces the deal with Iran is completed:

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Secretary of War Pete Hegseth appears on CBS Face the Nation as Margaret Brennan recovers from Kirsten Welker stealing all her glory in last week Trump’s interview.

Determined to put herself back in the running for Best Dramatic Acting in a Live Recorded Political Event, Mrs. Brennan takes pearl clutching to new levels and reaches deep into her narrative pretending skills to make today the penultimate end of the world media day for the future of all mankind.

Yes America, it’s a serious challenge to the teeth bearing Welker approach last weekend; however, but Brennan takes a deep breath, tries to ignore concerns about soccer games distracting her audience, and rises to the moment.  Video and Transcript Below:

[Transcript] – MARGARET BRENNAN: This morning, the Israeli Defense Force conducted strikes in Lebanon on Beirut’s southern suburbs to target the Iranian-backed Hezbollah leadership. The IDF called it retaliation for strikes on Israel. CBS has learned the potential US-Iran truce includes a vague reference to ending the fighting in Lebanon, which may not be enough for Iran’s leaders. And Iran’s failure to cut off support for its proxy force, Hezbollah, may not be enough for America’s partner, Israel. For the latest, we begin this morning with Secretary of Defense Hegseth, who joins us from Tennessee. Mr. Secretary, welcome to Face the Nation.

DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH: Good morning, Margaret. Thank you.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So, did the Hezbollah Israel strikes disrupt any of the plans to have this memorandum signed today. Are we on track for a Sunday signing?

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It is a little obvious from the tone of the Truth Social reports, that President Trump is more than a little frustrated that Israel continues strikes into Lebanon which pose a potential disruption to the negotiated terms with Iran.

[TRUTH SOCIAL] – “This morning’s attack on Beirut should not have happened, particularly on a special day when we are so close to a Peace Deal with Iran. Israel has the right to defend itself against threats, but the attack it was responding to was very small and meaningless, nobody was hurt, injured, or killed, and should not disrupt this important process. We are very close to a Deal that will bring peace to the region, including to Lebanon, and all sides should stand down. There should be no more attacks by Israel anywhere in Lebanon, but there should also be no more attacks by any other party, including Hezbollah, against Israel. This could be the beginning of a long and beautiful peace — Let’s not blow it! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”

~ President DONALD J. TRUMP

Several DC journalists have reportedly been in contact with President Trump and are sending reports on the X platform about the nature of their discussions with him.

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President Trump has announced a deal with Iran that takes away the nuclear option.  According to the Truth Social announcement, the signing of the agreement is scheduled for tomorrow (Sunday).

PRESIDENT TRUMP – “Barack Hussein Obama’s Deal with Iran, the JCPOA, was an easy, beautiful, smooth road to a Nuclear Weapon, which Iran would have had six years ago, and would have used long before now. My Agreement with Iran is the exact opposite, A WALL TO NO NUCLEAR WEAPON! In fact, they no longer want a Nuclear Weapon, nor will they have one, either through purchase, development, or any other form of procurement.

The Deal is scheduled to get signed tomorrow, and immediately after it is signed, the Hormuz Strait is OPEN TO ALL. Our relationship with Iran is a much different and better one than previous Administrations have had. Unlike Obama’s Hundreds of Billions of Dollars in payments to them, including 1.7 Billion Dollars in green, cold cash, no money will exchange hands.”

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