State department

US declares new sanctions on Iran, PGSA condemns US leadership

The PGSA condemned the sanctions and added that it considered being sanctioned by “a country whose leader takes pride in piracy” as a sign of “positive performance."

An Iranian flag flutters in the wind as ships remain anchored in the Strait of Hormuz on May 16. Negotiations between the US and Iran over opening this critical waterway have largely stalled.
US President Donald Trump gestures during an event at The Villages Charter School at The Villages, Florida, US, May 1, 2026.

Inside the unraveling of US diplomacy under President Trump - analysis

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the journalists before boarding his plane at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, India, Monday, May 25, 2026.

Rubio denounces Hezbollah threats to overthrow Lebanese gov't

Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, attends a news conference during the Human Rights Council at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, March 24, 2026.

US says removal of UN expert Albanese from sanctions list is not a policy change


Hamas terrorist surrenders to IDF after crossing Gaza's Yellow Line - report

A "recently recruited" Hamas terrorist who "regretted" his decision to join the terror group surrendered to IDF soldiers after crossing Gaza’s Yellow Line, a US official told CBS News.

A Hamas terrorist sits inside a vehicle in Gaza City, November 20, 2025; illustrative.

US designates Venezuela's Cartel de los Solas as terror organization

"Neither Maduro nor his cronies represent Venezuela’s legitimate government," the US State Department said.

 A coast guard boat of the Venezuelan Navy operates off the Caribbean coast on the day Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro says that Venezuela would deploy military, police, and civilian defenses at 284 "battlefront" locations across Venezuela, amid heightened tensions with the US, Sept. 11, 2025.

Possible human rights violations in Gaza documented in classified US report, sources tell WaPo

The possible violations would take the US State Department "multiple years" to go over.

Palestinians inspect the site of an overnight Israeli strike on a house in Gaza City, October 29, 2025.

US backs repeal of Caesar Act sanctions on Syria, State Department says

The Caesar Act imposed wide-ranging sanctions on Syria targeting individuals, companies, and institutions linked to former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

People enter the State Department Building in Washington, U.S., January 26, 2017.

Trump withdraws State Department Middle East nominee, source says

Trump withdraws Joel Rayburn's nomination as assistant secretary of state after concerns over his role in US troop deployment discussions in Syria.

Joel Rayburn, then-US deputy assistant secretary for Levant Affairs and special envoy for Syria, attends a news conference at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, October 29, 2019.

Hamas planning imminent attack on Gazans in violation of ceasefire, US warns

"Should Hamas proceed with this attack, measures will be taken to protect the people of Gaza and preserve the integrity of the ceasefire," the State Department said.

Hamas terrorists seen before a hostage release in Gaza City, February 1, 2025

US revokes visas for six foreigners over comments made about Charlie Kirk's death

The US State Department revoked the visas of six foreigners for making social media comments celebrating the assassination of Charlie Kirk, as Trump posthumously honors him.

A poster of conservative activist Charlie Kirk is displayed at a memorial following the fatal shooting of Kirk, at the Turning Point USA headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, US, September 12, 2025

US State Dept. appoints official to handle case of US-Palestinian teen held in Israeli prison

Mohammed Ibrahim, jailed for stone-throwing since February, is set to meet the new State Department official next week amid calls for his release.

 US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the State Department, February 10, 2025.

State Dept. designates four Iran-backed Iraqi militias as Foreign Terrorist Orgs.

The State Department designated Hakarat al-Nujaba, Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, Hakarat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya, and Kataib al-Imam Ali, all part of the Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces.

Mourners attend the funeral of Haider al-Moussawi, head of the security unit in the Shi'ite armed group Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, and senior Hezbollah figure Abu Ali Khalil, who were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Tehran, amid the Iran-Israel conflict, in Baghdad, Iraq, June 22, 2025.

US imposes sanctions on global financial network facilitating Iranian oil sales

The US has sanctioned a financial network tied to Iranian oil sales, targeting entities in Hong Kong and the UAE to disrupt funding for Iran’s military and proxies.

 The IRGC’s control over Iran’s oil industry has grown to such a point, experts now estimate 50% of the country's oil wealth is siphoned to the military organization