By Brian Dakss and Haley Ott
Updated on: April 14, 2026 / 5:52 AM EDT / CBS News
What to know about the Iran war today:
– Pakistan is attempting to arrange a second round of U.S.-Iran peace talks after last weekend’s marathon session in Islamabad ended without an agreement. The war is now in its seventh week. A two-week truce is set to expire a week from today.
– Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to take part in a meeting at the State Department today with the Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors to the U.S. in an effort to end fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, Iran’s proxy in Lebanon, CBS News has confirmed. Hezbollah urged Lebanon to cancel the session.
– The U.S. blockade of Iran’s ports was in its second day as Washington pressures Tehran to relinquish control of the Strait of Hormuz, the critical chokepoint for shipments of oil, fertilizer and other vital commodities. Iran is threatening to retaliate and has said no Gulf ports will be safe if the blockade continues.
10m ago — Vance says “ball is in the Iranian court”
Vice President JD Vance told Fox News on Monday the U.S. made its red lines clear in talks with Iran, and that it’s now up to Tehran to take action. “I really think the ball is in the Iranian court, because we put a lot on the table. We actually made very clear what our red lines were,” Vance said. He reiterated that Iran cannot have the ability to enrich uranium and that mechanisms must be in place to ensure Iran does not develop nuclear weapons. On the Strait of Hormuz, Vance said there’s been an “uptick in traffic coming through the strait,” but it hasn’t been fully reopened; he warned failure to make progress would “change the negotiation.” He accused Iran of trying to “move the goalposts” during talks in Pakistan and said the U.S. now holds military and economic cards regarding the strait. (CBS/AFP)
10m ago — Rubio to participate in Israel-Lebanon talks Tuesday
Secretary of State Marco Rubio will participate in Israel-Lebanon talks scheduled Tuesday in Washington, D.C., CBS News confirmed. The talks are the first direct, high-level diplomatic engagement between the two countries since 1993 and are brokered by the U.S. Sources said the meetings will be led by U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa, Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad, and Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter. Shortly after the U.S. and Israel began the war with Iran, Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel; Israel then launched a new offensive against Hezbollah and invaded much of southern Lebanon. The White House and Israel say Lebanon was never part of the two-week ceasefire with Iran announced last week.
10m ago — Hezbollah’s leader urges Lebanon to cancel Israel talks in Washington
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem on Monday urged Lebanon to cancel the planned meeting with Israel in Washington, reiterating opposition to direct negotiations with Israel. “We call for a historic and heroic stance by canceling this negotiating meeting,” Qassem said in a televised address. The Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors to the United States are scheduled to meet on Tuesday.
10m ago — U.S. blockade of Iran ports threatens already crippled oil supply
Washington’s decision to blockade Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz is sending tremors through global energy markets, raising fears of a fresh oil shock by threatening supplies to Asia. Iran had continued to pump crude to Asia since the start of the war, partly shielded by its “dark fleet.” Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil normally flows through the waterway; Iran has already slowed maritime traffic in recent weeks. The blockade ordered Sunday by President Trump risks further damaging global oil and gas supplies after fighting damaged Gulf energy facilities and blocked exports through the strait, analysts said. Days after launching the war with Iran and Israel on Feb. 28, the U.S. temporarily eased some sanctions on Tehran to avert an abrupt energy shock, particularly for Asian economies. Amir Handjani of the Quincy Institute warned the blockade threatens that fragile balance and questioned whether the U.S. Navy would confront Chinese, Indian or Pakistani merchant ships — calling such action “an act of war.” China called the U.S. blockade “dangerous and irresponsible.” Oil prices, already climbing, are expected to surge further. (AFP)
10m ago — Russia’s oil export revenues nearly doubled during Iran war, IEA reports
Russia nearly doubled its earnings from oil exports in March as Moscow received sanctions relief aimed at offsetting soaring energy prices during the Middle East war, the International Energy Agency said Tuesday. Russia earned $19 billion in March as crude and oil product exports rose to 7.1 million barrels per day, up 320,000 barrels a day from February. The U.S. eased some restrictions on sales of Russian crude, allowing countries to purchase oil already at sea until April 11.
10m ago — Trump tells CBS News Pope Leo should stay out of politics following Iran war criticism
President Trump told CBS News senior correspondent Norah O’Donnell on Monday that Pope Leo is “wrong on the issues” after criticizing mass deportations and the Iran war. Mr. Trump confirmed he watched “60 Minutes,” which highlighted the pope’s disapproval, and said he does not plan to call the pontiff. “He’s wrong on the issues,” Trump said. “I don’t think he should be getting into politics.” When asked whether Pope Leo would visit the U.S. during Trump’s presidency, the president said, “I have no idea. It’s up to him, not up to me.” (Read more.)
In: Iran
