Hegseth grilled over direction of Iran war and costs for Americans

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified in back-to-back Capitol Hill hearings where he faced bipartisan frustration about the Iran war and its rising costs. With neither the Americans nor the Iranians softening their demands, the President left for a high-stakes visit to Iran's chief ally, China. Stephanie Sy reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

President Trump is traveling halfway around the world for a state visit to China, and he's bringing a host of top American executives with him. Talks there are expected to encompass the complex economic and security postures of both nations. Nick Schifrin reports from Beijing. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

As Russia prepares for a large-scale spring offensive, a city near the frontline is preparing for the worst. Control of Izyum is vital for Ukraine as the link between Kharkiv and Donetsk. Izyum was occupied by Russian forces for six months in 2022. Ukrainian forces liberated it and exposed Russian war crimes. Now, that threat of occupation is real. Producer Amanda Bailly and Nick Schifrin report. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The United States and Iran are at an impasse once again in the talks to end more than two months of war. President Trump said the ceasefire is on "life support" after Tehran's latest offer didn't include nuclear concessions. The administration announced new sanctions and Trump said he would meet with his top military commanders to discuss next steps. White House correspondent Liz Landers reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

For perspective on the state of the conflict with Iran and the latest peace proposals, Amna Nawaz spoke with Robert Kagan, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a contributing writer for The Atlantic. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Monday, the Supreme Court extended access to the abortion pill mifepristone as justices consider an emergency request to halt a lower-court ruling that would restrict access to the drug, the man accused of attempting to assassinate President Trump at the White House Correspondents Dinner pleaded not guilty and a three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine expires on Monday. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

As the world waits to hear if there will be diplomatic progress between the U.S. and Iran, on Friday U.S. fighter jets fired on Iranian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, as part of the ongoing U.S. blockade. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Rubio continued his visit to Rome, where he urged Europe to do more to reopen the strait. Nick Schifrin reports on the day's developments. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

American counterterrorism officials are meeting Friday with officials from other allied nations to coordinate efforts against what the U.S. calls "deadly threats from terror groups and non-state actors." But the recently released U.S. strategy to fight terrorism contains some unusual targets. William Brangham speaks with Colin Clarke, executive director of The Soufan Center, for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The U.S. and Iran have exchanged fire in the Strait of Hormuz, with the top Iranian military command accusing Americans of violating the now-month-old ceasefire, while the U.S. says the truce remains in effect. Nick Schifrin joins Amna Nawaz with the latest developments. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Secretary of State Rubio on Thursday tried to smooth over another conflict sparked by the Iran war, this one with the pope. A meeting between Rubio and Pope Leo came after Trump repeatedly accused the pontiff of wanting Iran to have a nuclear weapon. Stephanie Sy reports on the meeting, and Amna Nawaz speaks with Miguel Diaz, former U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, for more analysis. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy