Pakistan’s army chief arrived Wednesday for talks in Tehran in the latest diplomatic move to ease tensions in the Middle East and arrange a second round of negotiations between the United States and Iran after almost seven weeks of war.
The White House said any further talks would likely take place in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad, though no decision had been made on whether to resume negotiations.
The U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports continued for a third day. And a top official in U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration warned of new economic sanctions on countries doing business with Iran, saying the Islamic Republic would feel the “financial equivalent” of a bombing campaign.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the U.S. had not “formally requested an extension of the ceasefire” with Iran, which is set to expire next Tuesday.
—The Associated Press
Senate Republicans reject effort to halt Iran war, but some eye future war powers votes
The Republican-led Senate on Wednesday rejected the latest Democratic attempt to halt President Donald Trump’s war in Iran, turning aside a resolution that would require the U.S. to withdraw forces from the conflict until Congress authorizes further action.
The 47-52 vote was the fourth time this year that the Senate has voted to cede its war powers to the president in a conflict that Democrats say is illegal and unjustified. Republicans say they will keep faith in Trump’s wartime leadership, for now, citing Iran’s nuclear capabilities and the high stakes of withdrawal. But GOP lawmakers are also anxious for the conflict to end — and they may not defer to the executive branch indefinitely.
Some Republicans have already made clear that they are eyeing future votes that could become an important test for the president if the war drags on.
—The Associated Press
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
On Tax Day, Republicans cheer, Democrats deride new Trump cuts
With hours to go before the midnight deadline for Americans to pay their taxes, congressional lawmakers on both sides of the aisle had a lot to say about the effects of the tax cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that President Donald Trump signed last summer.
“It has been a fantastic tax season,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said during a White House press briefing Wednesday. “It has gone smoothly. It has gone efficiently from the point of view of the IRS but most importantly it’s been a great tax season for the American people.”
“It’s unfortunate that Republicans are touting temporary tax cuts that they’ve given to folks while they extend and make permanent tax cuts for billionaires and wealthy corporations who don’t need it,” House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., said at a news conference Wednesday.
—Spectrum News’ Susan Carpenter
Trump threatens to fire Fed Chair Powell if he stays on after term ends
President Donald Trump vowed in an interview that aired Wednesday morning to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell if he stayed on as chair beyond the end of his term next month –– even as the confirmation of Powell’s successor seems stalled in the Senate Banking Committee.
“Well then, I’ll have to fire him,” Trump told Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo when she asked about Powell saying he would not depart the Federal Reserve until the Justice Department investigation into the Fed’s renovation project ends.
Powell’s term as chair concludes May 15, but he said last month he planned to remain at the helm of the seven-member Board of Governors as “chair pro tem” until his successor is confirmed.
—Spectrum News’ Christina Santucci
More Wednesday reads
• Treasury secretary ‘optimistic’ gas prices will fall to $3 a gallon by end of September
• Justice Department moves to toss seditious conspiracy convictions of Oath Keepers and Proud Boys
• Pope doubles down on message of peace and unity as Trump’s criticism continues
• FDA to weigh easing limits on unproven peptides favored by RFK Jr. and other MAHA figures