White House Adds Nick Stewart to Iran Negotiation Team

The White House has added Nick Stewart, a former lobbyist and State Department official from President Trump's first term, to the team negotiating an end to the war with Iran. Stewart joins as an adviser to Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, brought on by Jared Kushner.

He previously worked for the lobbying arm of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, a group advocating strong measures against Iran. President Trump stated he was not satisfied with a new Iranian proposal sent through Pakistani mediators on Friday.

A senior Iranian military officer, Mohammad Jafar Asadi, said renewed conflict is likely, citing U.S. non-commitment to agreements. The U.S. maintains a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, turning away 48 Iranian ships over the past 20 days, with three redirected in the last 20 hours according to U.S. Central Command.

Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed at least seven people and wounded others on Saturday. The Israeli military demolished parts of a Catholic convent in the border village of Yaroun using bulldozers, according to Lebanese church officials.

The convent, empty due to fighting, included a school closed since 2006 and a recently relocated clinic. The Israeli military stated it damaged a house without religious signs while destroying Hezbollah infrastructure, halting further action upon learning of the church link.

It added that Hezbollah had used the compound to fire rockets at Israel and that it does not intentionally target religious sites. The Catholic Church in Lebanon denied any military use, with Rev. Abdo Abou Kassm stating such places spread peace, love, and education.

“What we heard is that it was destroyed with bulldozers." — Gladys Sabbagh, superior general of the Basilian Salvatorian Sisters, May 3, 2026 (CBS News). Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health reported 2,659 deaths and 8,183 injuries from Israeli attacks since March 2, with 73 killed and 163 injured since April 30. Israel issued evacuation warnings for nine southern villages on Saturday. Despite a ceasefire since April 17, both Israel and Hezbollah continue attacks.”

The U.S. announced $9 billion in weapons sales to Israel and Middle East allies, bypassing congressional review by citing an emergency. Sales include 10,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems to Israel, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates at $992.4 million each.

The Pentagon plans to withdraw about 5,000 U.S. forces from Germany, described by senior defense officials as a signal of discontent with European allies' assistance in the Iran war. President Trump has criticized German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other NATO leaders for not directly involving themselves in the campaign.

President Trump addressed a 60-day deadline under the War Powers Resolution, telling congressional leaders that hostilities with Iran have terminated due to the early April ceasefire. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer rejected this view, stating the war continues illegally.

Stewart joined the delegation that traveled to Islamabad in early April, led by Vice President JD Vance, Kushner, and Witkoff, though that round failed. U.S. officials noted Stewart's role provides policy support, with lobbying records showing over $2 million spent on foreign policy issues since 2023, including the Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act.

Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani discussed negotiations with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday. Qatar affirmed support for mediation and stressed adherence to international law and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, following Iranian attacks on Qatari infrastructure.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright testified on April 21 that nuclear experts provide insight remotely but do not join talks, stating he leads on nuclear matters with support from nonproliferation teams.

Trump described the U.S.

Navy's interdiction of Iranian-linked vessels as pirate-like actions during remarks in Florida on Friday. He referenced the USS Spruance intercepting the Iranian-flagged ship Touska last month, noting the blockade reverses Iran's past threats to close the strait.

“We're sort of like pirates, but we're not playing games because, you know, for 47 years, Iran has been pushing everybody around." — President Trump, May 2, 2026 (CBS News). Trump also said critics suggesting the U.S. is not winning against Iran commit treason, though treason is constitutionally limited to waging war or aiding enemies. He added that he expected the war to raise gas prices higher and drop the stock market by 25%, but claimed the U.S. is winning significantly.”