President Trump railed against Iran war critics in a series of Truth Social posts, insisting he's under "no pressure" to make a deal with Tehran as peace talks remained in limbo Monday.
The big picture: Ahead of a looming deadline for the ceasefire ending, Trump denied that Israel had dragged the U.S. into the war, saying "Time is not my adversary," for ending it and his eventual deal will be "FAR BETTER" than former President Obama's 2015 nuclear deal.
President Trump told reporters to expect a peace deal with Iran by Monday, and said Monday morning that Vice President Vance was heading to Islamabad for talks.
But Vance was actually still in Washington, waiting for a signal from Tehran before boarding his plane — a sign of the deep uncertainty over what will happen next.
The big picture: Trump wants the war to end, now, on his terms. But there's only one day left before the ceasefire expires, Iran still controls the Strait of Hormuz, and the sides have thus far been unable to even set a meeting. The war may therefore be on the precipice of a massive expansion.
The big picture: Leo's native-level English removes a long-standing Vatican buffer — ambiguity in translation — that has historically softened or clarified papal critiques of U.S. leaders.
U.S. businesses that paid tariffs that the Supreme Court ruled were illegal can start applying for refunds Monday.
Why it matters: The Trump administration's launch of an online portal for tariff refund applications marks the first phase of its efforts to comply with court orders to reimburse billions of dollars in paid tariffs and interest to importers.
Oil prices are up around 6% Sunday evening after the weekend brought fresh escalation of the U.S.-Iran conflict.
Why it matters: The jump after international markets opened reverses a large chunk of the sharp decline Friday, when President Trump and Iran's foreign minister claimed the Strait of Hormuz was opening to tanker traffic.
American forces seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship after it tried to bypass a U.S. naval blockade in the Gulf of Oman, President Trump said Sunday.
Why it matters: It's the first seizure and the first ship fired upon since the U.S. blockade went into effect last Sunday in response to Iran effectively holding the Strait or Hormuz hostage since the war began on Feb. 28.
Vice President JD Vance will lead a U.S. delegation for another round of talks with Iran in Islamabad before the ceasefire is scheduled to end on Tuesday night, two U.S. officials tell Axios.
Why it matters: The talks could provide an eleventh hour opportunity to reach a deal, or at least extend the ceasefire — though Iran has yet to confirm its participation and is concerned this is all subterfuge from the White House.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has spent the Iran war doing what he does best — patiently exploiting America's distraction and discord.
Why it matters: The conflict allowed China to bolster its diplomatic leverage, clean-energy muscle and intelligence on the U.S. military — all without firing a shot or spending a dollar.
