Donald Trump said the US and Iran held talks that produced “major points of agreement,” a claim Tehran denies, saying no contact has occurred since a bombing campaign began 24 days ago. Trump extended a five-day deadline and credited envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner with strong discussions. Domestic newsmakers include long TSA lines, Markwayne Mullin’s confirmation as DHS secretary, a $1bn payment to TotalEnergies to cancel offshore wind projects, a LaGuardia crash that killed two pilots, and severe flooding in Hawaii.
Trump Says ‘Major Points Of Agreement’ With Iran — Tehran Denies Any Talks; US Faces Domestic Turmoil
Donald Trump arrives at the White House on Monday, in Washington DC.Photograph: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP(Photograph: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)
Donald Trump claimed the United States and Iran held discussions over the past day that produced “major points of agreement,” a development he framed as potentially averting a more serious escalation. Tehran rejected the account, saying no talks have occurred with the US since a bombing campaign began 24 days ago.
In a series of statements on Monday, Mr. Trump said on social media that he had extended a deadline by five days and described recent exchanges as “very good and productive conversations.” He later told reporters in Palm Beach, Florida, that his Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner had held “very, very strong talks” with Iranian representatives the previous day.
Rising Tensions: Over the weekend Mr. Trump warned he would “hit and obliterate” Iran’s power stations and energy infrastructure if Tehran did not allow shipping to pass freely through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded with its own threats to target infrastructure across the Middle East, raising fears of a broader conflict and potential global economic fallout.
On Monday the president reiterated the possibility of a negotiated outcome, saying: “We’re giving it five days, and then we’re going to see where that takes us. And I would say at the end of this period, I think it could very well end up being a very good deal for everybody.”
Domestic Headlines
Airport Disruptions: Security lines at US airports stretched for hours Monday after unpaid Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening officers refused to report for duty. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents deployed by the administration were reported in about a dozen cities; their presence provided limited immediate relief in some hubs while airport staff improvised to assist frustrated travelers.
DHS Leadership: The US Senate confirmed Senator Markwayne Mullin as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, elevating the Republican lawmaker to a role central to the administration’s immigration enforcement priorities.
Prediction-Market Concerns: Analysts flagged unusual betting patterns on Polymarket over the weekend—wagers on a US-Iran ceasefire that some experts said suggested possible insider knowledge. Broader scrutiny of prediction markets is building in Congress as platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket face regulatory pressure.
Energy and Environment: As fuel prices rise amid the crisis linked to the conflict in Iran, the administration announced it will pay French energy company TotalEnergies $1 billion to halt plans for offshore wind farms along the US East Coast—drawing criticism from environmental advocates.
Supreme Court Mail-In Ballot Review: The US Supreme Court appeared poised to curb how late-arriving mail-in ballots can be counted, a change that could affect election rules in more than a dozen states during a midterm election year.
Other Notable Stories
A 13-foot, one-ton statue of Christopher Columbus was installed on the grounds of the White House outside the Eisenhower Executive Office Building; it is a replica of a monument toppled by protesters in Baltimore in 2020.
At New York’s LaGuardia Airport an Air Canada Express regional jet collided with a fire truck while landing; the pilot and co-pilot were killed and the airport was temporarily closed.
Hawaii officials are assessing widespread damage after the islands endured the worst flooding in more than 20 years: floodwaters lifted houses and cars, inundated farms and stores, and left thick layers of mud.
In California, a sheriff running for governor as a Republican seized more than 650,000 ballots from last year’s election, intensifying an ongoing clash with state officials.
For readers catching up: these developments were reported on Sunday, 22 March.
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