U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance says progress is being made in negotiations with Iran to end the war as President Donald Trump begins a state visit to China.
Published May 14, 2026
Despite President Donald Trump’s rejection of Iran’s latest offer as unacceptable, US Vice President J.D. Vance said he believed progress could be made in negotiations with Iran. The comments came as diplomatic efforts continue to prevent the fragile ceasefire between Washington and Iran from collapsing.
Meanwhile, Brigadier General Mohammad Akrami Nia said Iranian forces remained at the “highest level of readiness” and warned there was “no room for retreat” amid ongoing tensions with the United States. Iranian officials continue to signal that they are ready to respond to any escalation.
Separately, Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office announced that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a “secret” visit to the United Arab Emirates during the war against Iran and met with the UAE president. The United Arab Emirates denied that the trip took place.
Here’s what we know:
in iran
Iran warns countries ‘colluding’ with Israel: Foreign Minister Abbas Aragushi said countries collaborating with Israel against Tehran would be ‘held accountable’ after Israel revealed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the UAE during the war. Aragushi accused countries of helping “sow division” with Israel, saying such actions “will not be tolerated.”
Iran gives send-off party to World Cup national team: Crowds gathered in Tehran’s Enherab Square to celebrate Iran’s national soccer team ahead of the 2026 World Cup, waving flags as the players took to the stage wearing red and black jerseys. Iranian Football Federation President Mehdi Taj said the team represented “the people, the country’s warriors, the leaders and the country”, and some fans held placards praising former supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei, who was killed during the war.
war diplomacy
Vance says US is making ‘progress’ in negotiations: The US vice president said he believes progress is being made in negotiations with Iran. “I think we’re making progress. The fundamental question is: Are we making enough progress to meet the president’s red line?” Vance told reporters at the White House. “And the line that must not be crossed is very simple. He needs to be confident that we have taken many safeguards to ensure that Iran never has a nuclear weapon.” China could seek concessions on Iran’s role: Instead of using its influence to pressure Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, analysts say China could demand concessions from the United States, possibly even regarding Taiwan, as the United States seeks China to play a bigger role in de-escalating tensions related to the war. Iran war casts shadow over BRICS meeting: Iranian Foreign Minister Aragushi arrived in New Delhi late Wednesday night to represent Iran at the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting.
on the bay
Prime Minister Netanyahu’s visit to the UAE: The Israeli Prime Minister held “secret” talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Prime Minister’s Office announced. “This visit marked a historic development in relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.”
UAE denies claims of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s visit: The UAE has rejected a statement from Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office. In a statement carried by state news agency WAM, the UAE said reports about Netanyahu’s visit and the attendance of an Israeli military delegation were “unfounded” and stressed that relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords are public and “not based on secret or secret arrangements.”
in the US
Senate backs Trump: U.S. senators narrowly rejected a resolution that would have limited President Trump’s powers to wage war against Iran. It was the first vote on the dispute since the White House’s 60-day deadline for formal approval expired. President Trump denies China’s role in Iran: Ahead of his visit to China, the US president said the US does not need China’s help in ending the Iran war or reopening the Strait of Hormuz. “Peaceful or not, we will prevail anyway,” Trump said, but analysts in Tehran said the summit was not seen as a threat to the strong relationship between Iran and China. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has defended the war against Iran, this time claiming that Iran is building a vast arsenal as a prelude to nuclear weapons, but Iran has always denied it is seeking to acquire nuclear weapons. “Iran had so many missiles and so many drones and was building a conventional capability that it could overwhelm anyone’s defenses,” Rubio told Fox News.
in lebanon
Israel-Lebanon talks: Lebanese and Israeli officials are scheduled to meet in Washington, D.C., for a new round of peace talks later on Thursday, as the two countries’ expiring “ceasefire” in name only technically remains in effect despite Israel killing dozens of Lebanese every day. Lebanese National News Agency (NNA) reported that a series of overnight and early morning attacks by Israel targeted multiple locations in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah announced on Thursday that it had carried out several attacks against Israeli military positions in or near the southern Lebanese town of Biyada. Lebanon says 10,000 homes damaged: More than 10,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed in Lebanon since the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, the head of the country’s National Council for Scientific Research said. At least 12 people killed in Lebanon – Israel intensifies attacks on Lebanon, with the Health Ministry reporting that Wednesday’s attacks killed 12 people, mainly in southern Beirut, despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
