US Pounds Iranian Targets After Blockade Reimposed; Trump Threatens Transit Fee for Ships

As Americans celebrated 250 years of independence on the Fourth of July, Iran began the days-long funeral for the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed at the beginning of the Iran war in February.

Near the ancient road where locals say the Good Samaritan traveled, horses are helping heal the invisible wounds of war. One Israeli rancher is restoring hope to trauma survivors with the help of Christian friends and American cowboys.

As America prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary of independence, the Trump administration is showcasing military strength while pressing for a diplomatic breakthrough with Iran.

America was founded as a Christian nation. Yet, early on in the country's history, some Jewish settlers came to dwell in the Colonies alongside their Christian neighbors. CBN News talked with Jewish commentator and historian Gil Troy and discovered that the settlers were among the most patriotic of the British colonists fighting to become the first citizens of a free America.

The military conflict between the U.S. and Iran may have slowed, but the diplomatic battle is intensifying. The United States claims that negotiations with Iran are moving forward, while Tehran says otherwise. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited soldiers in southern Lebanon with a strong message for Hezbollah and Iran.

After days of attacks, U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are in Qatar, where President Trump said they would meet with Iranian officials. At the last minute, however, Qatari officials said they would not meet with Iranians. Meanwhile, the Israeli military marked 1000 days since the October 7th, 2023, war with Hamas began.

A tense quiet hovers over the Middle East after trouble between the U.S. and Iran spiked over the weekend, less than ten days after the two countries signed the Memorandum of Understanding outlining talks. Meanwhile, Israel and Lebanon signed an agreement heading for peace, but the Iranian-backed Hezbollah doesn't want that to happen.

Just days after Washington and Tehran announced new agreements to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and reduce regional tensions, Iran and the United States are now sending sharply different messages.