News Roundup and Comment

Below is a selection of stories from the first quarter hour of this week's News Round-Up broadcast: --Iran and the U.S. held hours of indirect negotiations yesterday over Tehran's nuclear program, but walked away without a deal, leaving the danger of another Mideast war on the table as the U.S. has gathered a massive fleet of aircraft and warships in the region. --Despite diplomatic language suggesting progress, substantial gaps do persist. Iran categorically rejects U.S. demands to dismantle key nuclear facilities, to transfer enriched uranium stockpiles abroad and permanently end uranium enrichment. --The U.S. embassy in Israel said its staff could leave the country and urged anyone considering departure could do so immediately as the threat of a U.S. strike on Iran looms. --While Iran engages in fake negotiations to stall, deceive and lie to the Trump administration, they announced they will be buying anti-ship missiles from China. --As President Trump pressures Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions amid rising tensions, Vice President Vance told the Washington Post that there's "no chance" that the U.S. will enter a years-long war in the Middle East. --Congressional Democrats are moving to force votes in the House and Senate to block President Trump from launching any military action against Iran without prior congressional approval. --The Treasury Department levied new sanctions against Iran on Wednesday. The sanctions targeted 30 Iranian individuals, businesses and vessels that facilitate Iran's illicit petroleum sales and the nation's ballistic missile and weapons production.