Trump says US Navy attacked and seized Iranian-flagged cargo ship

"U.S. Marines have custody of the vessel," Trump said.

Last Updated: April 19, 2026, 10:21 PM EDT

President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting military and government sites.

After initial U.S.-Iran talks in Pakistan failed to reach a peace deal, Trump announced Sunday, April 19, that U.S. negotiators would head back to Islamabad Monday for a new round.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Vice President JD Vance would accompany special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law, to Islamabad for the talks.

Iran's continuing blockage of the Strait of Hormuz and their alleged refusal to abandon their nuclear program remain key sticking points in negotiations, according to Trump.

Apr 14, 2026, 1:09 PM EDT

State Department announces reward for info on Kata'ib Hezbollah leader

The State Department's Rewards for Justice program announced Tuesday it would pay out up to $10 million for information on Ahmad al-Hamidawi, the leader of Kata'ib Hezbollah -- a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization closely aligned with Lebanese Hezbollah that is considered to be the most powerful militia in Iraq.

The department said al-Hamidawi directed Kata'ib Hezbollah attacks on U.S. diplomatic facilities last month, and that for years the group has "repeatedly targeted U.S. personnel and facilities in Iraq with IEDs, rockets, and unmanned aircraft systems, kidnapped U.S. citizens, and killed innocent Iraqi civilians."

Al-Hamidawi received "political, military, and intelligence training from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps," the release stated.

Kata’ib Hezbollah recently admitted to kidnapping American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson and detaining her for a week before ultimately freeing her in a prisoner exchange with Iraqi authorities.

-ABC News' Shannon K. Kingston

Apr 14, 2026, 12:46 PM EDT

Half of Americans say military action in Iran not worth it: Poll

A new poll from Ipsos found that half (51%) of Americans say the decision to take military action in Iran has not been worth it. Another 24% say it has been worth it and 22% are unsure.

The poll found that 54% say the military action the U.S. has taken in Iran has had a mostly negative impact on their personal financial situation, while 29% say it has not had an impact.

On long-term U.S. security, the poll found that 41% of Americans think it will get worse due to the military action in Iran, 26% think it will improve, and 29% say it will not have an impact either way.

The poll, conducted from April 10 to 12, found that 60% of Americans disapprove of the U.S. military strikes against Iran and 35% approve -- little changed from when Ipsos last asked earlier this month and throughout March.

Apr 14, 2026, 12:27 PM EDT

Trump says more peace talks in Islamabad could happen over next 2 days

President Donald Trump said that another round of peace talks with Iran in Islamabad could be happening "over the next two days," during a phone interview with the New York Post on Tuesday.

The president initially said discussions for future peace talks were "happening," but a "little bit slow" and suggested that Europe could be the location for a second round of face-to-face negotiations, according to the Post.

The Post said that the president then later called the reporter back with an update advising them to stay in Islamabad.

"You should stay there, really, because something could be happening over the next two days, and we're more inclined to go there," Trump said, according to the Post.

"It's more likely, you know why? Because the field marshal is doing a great job," he said, according to the Post, referring to Pakistan's Army Chief and Field Marshal Asim Munir.

-ABC News Michelle Stoddart, Emily Chang and Isabella Murray

Apr 14, 2026, 12:07 PM EDT

Israel-Lebanon talks kick off at State Department

Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a meeting with Lebanon's Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh Moawad (2R) and Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter (2L) at the State Department in Washington, April 14, 2026.
Oliver Contreras/AFP via Getty Images

A meeting bringing together the Lebanese and Israel ambassadors to the U.S. at the State Department is underway, marking the first diplomatic talks between the countries in more than three decades.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio call it a "historic opportunity."

"We understand we're working against decades of history and complexities that have led us to this unique moment," Rubio told reporters.

In response to questions about ceasefires, he said this is "a lot more than just about that."

"This is about bringing a permanent end to 20 or 30 years of Hezbollah's influence in this part of the world -- not just the damage that's inflicted on Israel, the damage that's inflicted on the Lebanese people."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivers remarks during working-level peace talks at the U.S. State Department, April 14, 2026 in Washington.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Rubio said the hope of the Trump administration was that the meeting would kick off "a process," acknowledging that "all of the complexities of this matter are not going to be resolved in the next six hours."

"But we can begin to move forward and create the framework where something can happen -- something very positive, something very permanent, so the people of Lebanon can have the kind of future they deserve, and so that the people of Israel can live without fear," he said.

State Department officials have also downplayed expectations of a major breakthrough coming out of the meeting, describing the talks as working-level despite the participation of Rubio.

-ABC News' Shannon K. Kingston

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