Trump Rejects Iran Deal While Rubio Links UK Plot To Tehran

President Donald Trump has turned down Iran's newest offer, yet he plans to sit back down with Tehran no later than this week. Axios confirms the details of this sudden shift in stance. That coverage has now ended.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio brought a darker story into Monday's news cycle. He told Hannity that a terror plot suspected at RAF Fairford in the U.K. over the weekend was stopped before it could unfold. His words suggested a foreign hand drove the attempt. Five people were taken into custody and later let go on bail.

Rubio promised more details would surface soon. "What could have happened in the UK over the weekend is a very serious situation," he stated without giving away specifics. "It's one that clearly involves the hands of a foreign actor." He added, "And that is we are dealing with elements in the world." When the conversation turned to Iran specifically, his tone grew sharp. "In the case of Iran, for example, who have openly threatened to attack American interests globally, we're going to always take that very seriously." The consequences would be severe if they ever acted on those threats or even tried. Rubio credited the U.K. with its help and cooperation. "There's a lot more news that will come out on this in the days to come," he noted. "But there's only so much I can say right now at this point about it, other than this is a very serious thing. And it was, it was responded to appropriately."

The rhetoric against Iran has gone even further from Rubio's lips recently. He warned that the clerical leadership in Tehran views the future through an "apocalyptic" lens. They believe their religious duty is to trigger the end times. "Iran is run by radical Shia clerics with an apocalyptic vision of the future," Rubio said on Hannity. To him, such people can never hold nuclear weapons safely. Why? Because they would use them as blackmail against the world or simply to kill people. It remains an unacceptable risk in his eyes.

Rubio also painted a grim picture of Iran's economic state under this administration's pressure campaign called Operation Economic Outcast. He argued that Tehran is rushing toward a cataclysm. "At one point, Iran was one of the most prosperous countries in the Middle East before the radical clerics took over," he said. Now their economy faces disaster. "So it's a very sad situation. Their economy now is a cataclysm," Rubio added. He credited President Trump with saving the world from tremendous trouble by taking on the nuclear program head-on.

Markets felt the tension too. Oil prices climbed again early Tuesday morning in Asian trading. Fears of supply cuts due to a potential U.S.-Iran war pushed Brent crude futures up 63 cents, or 0.6%, to $105.91 a barrel by 0002 GMT. That rise happened even as signs showed crude exports from the region were recovering.

West Texas Intermediate crude climbed 72 cents, hitting $93.32 per barrel after rising 0.8%. Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade, told an outlet that a clearer picture is forming regarding higher oil export volumes leaving the Gulf. Yet much of that increase still relies on workarounds like ship-to-ship transfers. "Those methods are less efficient and more costly than normal operations, which is why crude prices remain elevated," Waterer said.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met Monday with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Finance Minister Yassine Jaber. The goal was to help curb Iranian and Hezbollah financial networks while restoring confidence in the country's banking system. "Today, I met with Lebanese Prime Minister @nawafsalam and Finance Minister @JaberYassine to discuss the need for decisive action to disrupt Iranian and Hizballah financial networks, and the importance of key financial sector reforms to restore confidence in Lebanon's banking system," Bessent wrote on X.

A report by Democratic investigators on the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations paints a stark picture. Cryptocurrency firm Tether and its dollar-pegged stablecoin, USDT, serve as lifelines for Iran's shadow banking network. Analyzing blockchain activity across hundreds of crypto wallets sanctioned or targeted for seizure over ties to Iran and its proxies, investigators found that 84% transacted almost exclusively in USDT. The investigation shows how the network was used to bypass financial sanctions, move funds across Iranian borders, stabilize the national currency and support the buying and selling of drones and weapons.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal noted the findings prove USDT's role in facilitating Tehran's illicit operations. He added that Tether routinely failed to freeze targeted wallets, particularly before 2024. This failure allowed bad actors to move money freely despite U.S. restrictions on their activities.

Qatari mediators are now working with Washington and Tehran on a new proposal aimed at ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Officials told The Associated Press on Monday that these talks are moving forward. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed mediators are discussing a draft proposal with both sides, according to the outlet.

The development follows President Donald Trump suggesting Monday in the Oval Office that U.S. officials had been in contact with Iranian representatives. Under the proposal, the Strait of Hormuz would reopen under a separate, toll-free agreement Iran has been negotiating with Oman to regulate shipping through the waterway. Iran discussed ideas with Qatari mediators that will be presented to the U.S. and expects to receive Washington's final response through Doha, Araghchi said, according to state news agency IRNA and Reuters reporting.

Araghchi stated the next move rests with Washington. "If the Americans claim they are seeking an agreement or a peaceful solution, we have presented that solution," he said. The stakes for regional stability remain incredibly high as diplomatic channels try to find a path forward before tensions escalate further.

Central Command issued a statement on Monday confirming that the USS George Washington is flying aircraft in the Gulf, a move that signals its presence as Washington enforces a blockade against Iranian ports. The command posted on X that the carrier conducts flight operations while sailing through the Arabian Sea. This activity marks another step in tightening the noose around Tehran's maritime access.

At the same time, diplomatic movements shifted focus to the East. United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last Sunday. The meeting highlighted the growing ties between the two nations as the war with Iran continues to escalate. Netanyahu's office announced on X that the prime minister and his wife traveled to the UAE at the invitation of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. They focused their talks on strengthening bilateral relations and addressing regional challenges. High-ranking officials accompanied the leader, including the head of the National Security Council, the Mossad chief, the military secretary, and the foreign policy adviser.

Tensions over information flow also surfaced in Jerusalem. The Prime Minister's Office pushed back against reports claiming Netanyahu asked the Emirati leader to deny a specific allegation. That claim involved a warning from the UAE about an impending Hamas attack before the Oct. 7, 2023 massacre. Officials dismissed such stories as fake news and insisted the visit focused solely on strengthening relations between the two countries and addressing regional challenges.

Across the Atlantic, Britain's defense secretary Wes Streeting addressed the fallout from a foiled terrorist plot near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. He told reporters on Monday that while Iran poses a clear threat to the U.K., its allies, and global interests, it is too early to link Tehran directly to the alleged scheme. Streeting cautioned against drawing conclusions about the investigation into the incident at the base used by the U.S. Air Force. "I don't want to draw a link between what's happening in Iran and this incident at this stage," he said. He told Bloomberg that it is far too early for anyone to speculate on aims and motives. Yet he remained firm on the stance that the Iranian regime threatens this country, our interests, and our allies. "We will stand together with our friends and allies to deter and repel any attempts by Iranian or Iranian-backed agents who would do us harm," Streeting added.

The defense secretary also emphasized the deep intelligence bond between London and Washington. With the United States of America, we have the closest defense and intelligence relationship of any two sovereign countries anywhere in the world, he noted. That partnership makes Britain more safe, not less safe. He pointed to President Trump's praise for British police and security services in remarks from yesterday as further evidence of that alliance. Streeting's comments came a day after President Donald Trump praised the U.K. for disrupting the suspected plot, calling its response amazing. However, Trump struck a different tone Monday when he told reporters in the Oval Office that he was surprised British authorities released five suspects on bail while the investigation continued.

In another development regarding military hardware, Israel's military announced the arrival of the INS Drakon. This new submarine is set to bolster the navy's stealth capabilities. The Israeli Defense Forces posted on X calling it a historic moment for the Israeli Navy as the vessel arrived at their ports. They described it as a new strategic capability that adds to the army's readiness to defend borders on every front. According to The Times of Israel, the INS Drakon is equipped with innovative and advanced technologies. These tools will put Israel at the forefront of global military technology and enhance operational flexibility for years to come. A key feature is an air-independent propulsion system that allows the crew to stay underwater for long periods before needing to surface. Captain [Name Redacted] noted that this system increases stealth by orders of magnitude, a critical advantage in modern naval warfare.

Yud," chief of the Navy's 7th Submarine Flotilla, spoke to the news outlet about his side of things. A senior Iranian military commander said Monday that Tehran remains intent on avenging itself against its enemies after months of war. Retaliation will come at a time of Iran's choosing.

Iranian army Deputy Coordinator Habibollah Sayyari made the remarks during an appearance on state television, according to Iran International. "Our enemies should know that the issue of our revenge remains in place," Sayyari said. "We ultimately have to take this revenge, wherever or whenever," he added.

Rep. Randy Fine criticized British authorities Monday after five men arrested over an alleged terror plot targeting RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom were released on bail. He called the decision "insane." It is insane that the United Kingdom arrests people for mean words but is releasing Muslim terrorists on bail who were arrested for trying to kill American soldiers, Fine told Fox News Digital in an exclusive statement.

It's mind-blowing. How is this possible? The UK has fallen, he said. Fine's remarks came after President Donald Trump told reporters in the Oval Office he was "surprised" by the decision to release the suspects. But over there, I'm surprised that they released them, Trump said. I wouldn't have done that. They've been very good. They worked with us very closely. We know everything about them. We would not have released them.

The British nationals were arrested Sunday after police responded to reports of suspicious vehicles near the military base in Gloucestershire. That site is used by the U.S. Air Force and served as a hub for American bomber operations during the Iran war. Investigators have not announced any charges or publicly attributed responsibility.

Just days after left-wing British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband shook hands with the Islamic Republic of Iran's top diplomat at the United Nations, U.K. authorities arrested five men with possible links to Tehran who allegedly sought to bomb a military base in Fairford used by American forces. Armed officers arrested the five suspected terrorists who were traveling in three vans reportedly packed with explosive material.

The authorities seized the five British nationals and the vans a mere 350 yards from the military base, which is used by the U.S. Army to launch air strikes against military targets in Iran. Speaking from London on Monday, Nile Gardiner, the director of the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom at the Heritage Foundation, told Fox News Digital that it was highly likely an Iranian orchestrated attack. It is stunning that they have released terrorist suspects on bail, he said. The suspects appear to be Muslim Islamists, judging by the picture.

Gardiner said the British government is on a full appeasement drive toward Tehran. We saw that with Ed Miliband meeting with the Iranian foreign minister at the U.N. General Assembly. The U.K. does not want to get involved in the U.S.-led war against Tehran, he stated. He called the current administration a socialist appeasement-minded British administration that is incredibly weak on defense and national security.

The United States and Israel launched a joint military campaign on Feb.

A source close to the Fairford investigation told Reuters earlier that Iranian involvement was viewed as the most probable motive, even though investigators were also checking out Russian sabotage or Islamist plots. This comes after President Donald Trump issued a sharp warning on Monday about Tehran's leaders, calling them "crazy" and insisting they must never build a nuclear weapon because the fallout would be disastrous.

"If you want to see turmoil and a travesty, let them take out a city with a nuclear weapon," Trump said while standing in the Oval Office. He was not just talking about Israel or large parts of the Middle East, but also warned that if Iran hit us with a nuke, it would be for all those foolish people who think it is okay. "I deal with them and they are crazy," he stated flatly. "There's no question about it. They are very crazy people and I tell them that all the time."

"But they cannot have a nuclear weapon," he repeated. Trump added that if Iran possessed such a device, it would become one of the worst things ever to happen to the world. "There would be no Israel, there would be no Middle East and then the rockets and the bombs would start coming our way and Europe's way, and I stopped it," he said.

On Monday, President Trump also took aim at U.K. authorities for releasing five men on bail following their arrest over an alleged plot near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. He expressed surprise at the decision while refusing to detail any specific links to Iran. The suspects were taken into custody Sunday on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offenses before being released Monday as the probe moves forward.

"But I will tell you, I would have said, don't let them have bail. Cashless bail," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. He then asked if they meant cashless bail. "I guess that was one of the problems that we had, which started the whole mess of crime," he noted. "And we're ending cashless bail. But over there, I'm surprised that they released them."

"I wouldn't have done that. Look, they've been very good. They worked with us very closely. We know everything about them. We would not have released them," Trump added. When pressed on whether Iran or another actor was behind the suspected plot, he declined to elaborate but hinted at having more information. "Oh, I don't know. I'd rather not," Trump said. "I mean, I know the answer. I can be very specific, but I'd rather not say it. But I would not have released them."

RAF Fairford has acted as a key U.S. Air Force hub during the conflict with Iran, supporting American strategic bomber operations launched from the United Kingdom. British authorities have not publicly identified who they believe is behind the suspected plot or announced a motive for the attack. President Trump said Monday that Iran would never obtain a nuclear weapon as he predicted the war would end soon and gas prices would drop.

"Iran will never have a nuclear weapon," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. "We're going to win that war very soon," he added before stating the war "will be over and the gas and gas prices will come tumbling down." "So nobody else could have done that," Trump added.

Qatari mediators are reportedly holding separate talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and U.S. representatives in New York on Monday or Tuesday, Reuters reported, citing officials. The meetings represent a renewed diplomatic effort to end the ongoing war in the Middle East. Discussions are expected to center on an amended version of a seven-day proposal that Iran initially presented to the U.S.

On the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly last week, an official spoke about the situation. Iran's semi-official ISNA news agency later confirmed that Araqchi is set to meet with Qatari mediators for further talks in the U.S. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) uncovered and destroyed a Hezbollah tunnel beneath a civilian home in southern Lebanon on Monday. This action was part of a wider operation where the military said it also demolished hundreds of terrorist sites across the region.

"Troops also dismantled 600+ terrorist infrastructure sites & 7 other underground routes," the IDF said in a post shared on X. Israeli troops also found dozens of missile launchers that had been left in the security zone before the ceasefire agreement took effect, the military said. National security and military analyst Dr. Rebecca Grant discussed the U.S. economic pressure campaign against Iran and the regime's demands for reopening the Strait of Hormuz on "Fox Report."

"Saturday Night Live" comedian Michael Che mocked rapper Macklemore during "Weekend Update" on Saturday night in New York City over his newly announced "Free Palestine Tour." This announcement came after the rapper was dropped from Ed Sheeran's U.S. stadium tour following his pro-Palestinian performances earlier this month. Che set up the joke by noting Macklemore's removal from Sheeran's tour before turning to the rapper's new slate of concerts.

"Rapper Macklemore, who was dropped as the opening act for Ed Sheeran, announced that he is launching a Free Palestine tour," Che said. "But haven't the Palestinian people been through enough?" he asked. Christian Toto, an award-winning film critic, journalist and founder of Hollywood in Toto, told Fox News Digital that celebrity commentary about the Israel-Palestinian conflict often follows what he described as a socially rewarded position within the entertainment industry.

"There is only one acceptable answer for celebrities when it comes to the ongoing Israel/Palestinian conflict. Say 'Free Palestine' and nothing else. It's the new BLM, a contentious issue where celebrities know they'll gain approval within their circle by repeating that mantra. They also understand they won't be pressured to defend their point of view by the vast majority of entertainment reporters. It's a safe space for them," Toto said. "Journalists now know they can pepper stars with similar questions and get a similar response (and lots of clicks for their interviews)," he continued. This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News' CJ Womack.

A U.S. official told Fox News Channel that "positive and constructive" talks with Iran are ongoing on Monday, but emphasized that no deal will come unless the nuclear issue is addressed. "The Strait of Hormuz traffic continues to rise and the blockade and sanctions continue to degrade Irans position. The US position gets stronger every day and President Trump remain patient and fully committed to his goal Iran to never have a nuclear weapon," the official said. The official noted that President Donald Trump is willing to give Iran sanctions relief and release frozen assets for meaningful movement on the nuclear issue, though the U.S. remains skeptical of any promise Iran might make.

The "Fox News Sunday" panel discussed China's role in the Iran conflict and President Donald Trump's rejection of Tehran's latest peace proposal this weekend. The experts examine the geopolitical implications of Beijing's alignment with Tehran amid continued war in the Middle East. U.K. police released five terror suspects on bail Monday after they were arrested on suspicion of a terror plot targeting a U.S. air base in Britain this weekend. Laurence Taylor, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing, confirmed that investigations into the five men are ongoing, "including that this may be actively committed by proxies or individuals either knowingly or unknowingly working on behalf of a foreign state." Meanwhile, the Iranian Embassy in the U.K.

Has denied any connection to the five men caught in the crossfire of suspicion. The Sunday night arrests followed a local resident and farmer in Gloucestershire who told the BBC about her disturbing encounter late that evening. She called police after finding three white vans blocking a road near RAF Fairford air base. As she turned her car around, her headlights revealed a group of hooded and masked men. These figures panicked when spotted and scrambled into a nearby woods before vanishing from sight. Reuters contributed to this report on the unfolding mystery.

Finishing the Iranian regime requires a strategy of economic pressure, covert operations and arming local resistance, Gen. Jack Keane argued during an appearance on Life, Liberty and Levin. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent predicted Sunday that Iran will complete its remaining oil shipments to China within two weeks. This leaves Tehran with nothing left to trade for anything as the Trump administration intensifies its economic pressure campaign against the regime. Bessent said only about 15 million barrels of Iranian oil remain out for delivery now that the U.S. is blockading the ports. He describes the dwindling shipments as evidence that Operation Economic Outcast has left Tehran economically isolated. They will have nothing to trade for anything, probably within the next two weeks. They are going to make their final deliveries of oil to China, and then they will have nothing.

The Treasury chief said he believed Iran was feeling the pressure leading to their renewed interest in striking a deal. President Donald Trump rejected Tehran's latest proposal on Saturday telling Axios on Sunday that they overplayed their hand. I expect more talks with Iran this week told the outlet during a phone interview. They want to make a deal but it is not the deal that I want to make. It is what we would have maybe agreed to a year ago. They overplayed their hand. Tehran had offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz a highly trafficked waterway in the region critical to global oil shipping. Bessent said it is already open. We are averaging now 15 to 22 million barrels a day. It was at about 20 pre-conflict So think of it this way Larry he added. The score is the United States one billion more than one billion barrels have gotten out Iran zero.

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News Max Bacall. NEW YORK Trump officials say Iran is miscalculating if it believes rising prices and the midterm elections will weaken President Donald Trumps hand in negotiations to end the nearly seven-month conflict. The administration projects confidence that mounting economic pressure will push Tehran toward a deal even after three hours of talks this week ended without an announced breakthrough. The president holds all of the cards here State Department principal deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott told Fox News Digital in an on-camera interview on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly. Americans meanwhile are facing a mounting cost at home. The national average for regular gasoline reached $4.49 per gallon Friday according to AAA up from $3.16 a year ago. AAA said volatility in the Strait of Hormuz and high crude oil prices have driven the national average to its highest level ever recorded for this time of year. Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged those costs Wednesday while arguing that allowing Iran to eventually obtain a nuclear weapon would carry a far greater price. It comes at a price and at a cost there is no doubt about it Rubio told reporters. But the cost of not doing something about it is substantially higher especially for future generations.

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News Morgan Phillips. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said the regime is fully ready for diplomacy or war as talks with the U.S. could resume this week. The Iranian Embassy in the U.K denied any connection to five suspects arrested for an alleged bomb plot targeting a U.S.

The Iranian Embassy in London issued a sharp rebuke on Monday regarding reports that linked Tehran to an arrest operation near RAF Fairford. Officials stated they flatly deny any connection and called the rumors malicious lies spread by certain British people and news organizations. A statement from the mission declared that these baseless claims were purely fabricated attempts to implicate Iran in the detention of five suspects around the airfield. The Embassy insisted that circulating such false stories only serves to damage trust between nations. They warned that spreading this kind of misinformation without proof is dangerous and undermines diplomatic relations. No evidence was provided to support the allegations, leaving them as unfounded noise rather than fact.