Summary4 min read

Fox News Hourly Update

Episode Summary: President Trump Hints at More Iran Talks, Possible Deal

Date: April 14, 2026
Host: Tom Ragati, FOX News Podcasts

Overview of Episode Theme

This FOX News Hourly Update focuses on fast-moving developments in U.S. foreign policy, domestic politics, and energy infrastructure. The main story is President Trump's suggestion that a new deal with Iran may soon be possible amid a tense U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports. The episode also covers Congressional resignations amid misconduct allegations, Israel-Lebanon ceasefire diplomacy, a historic papal visit to Algeria, and the controversial expansion of a major natural gas pipeline into New York City.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. U.S.-Iran Tensions and Naval Blockade

President Trump signals possible Iran talks: President Trump told the New York Post that talks could resume "within the next two days," raising hopes for ceasefire progress. (00:02)
Naval Blockade Update: U.S. Central Command reports no ships have left Iranian ports in the past 24 hours; six ships have complied with the halt. The blockade aims to halt Iran’s oil trade and push ceasefire negotiations. (00:19)
Ceasefire status: The current ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is set to expire next Tuesday, raising urgency for diplomatic breakthroughs. (01:01)
Nuclear Standoff: U.S. Vice President Vance (speaking from Pakistan) identifies Iran’s nuclear program as the main barrier in previous negotiations. (00:36)

"President Trump told the New York Post today talks could resume within the next two days."
— Greg Palcott, Fox News (00:35)

2. Congressional Misconduct Allegations and Resignations

Eric Swalwell Resignation: The California Democrat announced his resignation after allegations of sexual misconduct and suspended his campaign for governor. (01:11)
Tony Gonzalez Departure: Texas Republican Tony Gonzalez is retiring and expected to resign soon after similar allegations. (01:18)
Expulsion Threats: Florida representatives Sheila Shirfilis McCormick and Corey Mills face possible expulsion for alleged misconduct; McCormick is already facing Department of Justice charges. (01:27)
Severity of Allegations: Another woman accuses Swalwell of drugging and raping her in 2018. (01:49)

"California Congressman Eric Swalwell … announced yesterday that he is resigning from Congress amidst these sexual misconduct allegations. … Texas Congressman Tony Gonzalez … announced he's going to be retiring from Congress."
— Bill Malugian, Capitol Hill Reporter (01:11)

3. Israel-Lebanon Diplomacy and U.S. Mediation

U.S. hosts talks: Secretary of State Marco Rubio facilitates U.S.-brokered dialogue between Israel and Lebanon at the State Department amid ongoing hostilities with Iranian-backed Hezbollah. (03:02)
International Pressure: France and the UK urge both sides to use the U.S.-Iran ceasefire as an opportunity for stability. (03:28)
Secretary Rubio’s Optimism: There’s hope to build a "framework where something can happen, something very positive, something very permanent." (03:13)

"We can begin to move forward to create the framework where something can happen, something very positive, something very permanent."
— Secretary of State Marco Rubio (03:13)

4. Historic Papal Visit

Pope Leo XIV in Algeria: The Pope makes a pilgrimage to Annaba (ancient Hippo), following St. Augustine’s legacy—part of the first papal visit to the country. (03:35)
Significance: The visit is notable amid religious and geopolitical tensions.

5. Energy Policy: New York Pipeline Expansion

Pipeline Groundbreaking: Federal officials launch a controversial expansion of the Transco pipeline into New York City, promising energy for over 2.3 million additional families. (04:13)
Environmental/Economic Framing: EPA Secretary Lee Zeldin asserts the U.S. can "protect the environment and grow the economy," countering the binary choice narrative. (04:33)
Change of Course: Governor Kathy Hochul reversed her opposition, approving the permits that paved the way for this expansion after protracted environmental pushback. (04:45)

"The Environmental Protection Agency believes strongly that we can protect the environment and grow the economy. That's no longer a binary choice…"
— EPA Secretary Lee Zeldin (04:33)

Memorable Quotes and Moments

Hope for Iran Talks:

"President Trump told the New York Post today talks could resume within the next two days."
— Greg Palcott (00:35)
Capitol Scandal:

"Then on the Republican side of the aisle, you've got Texas Congressman Tony Gonzalez... announced he's going to be retiring from Congress and he's expected to resign imminently."
— Bill Malugian (01:17)
Diplomatic Optimism:

"We can begin to move forward to create the framework where something can happen, something very positive, something very permanent."
— Secretary of State Marco Rubio (03:13)
Balancing Economy and Environment:

"That's no longer a binary choice, that in order to protect the environment that you have to destroy the economy."
— EPA Secretary Lee Zeldin (04:33)

Important Timestamps

00:02 — Opening headlines: Trump hints at Iran deal
00:19 — Update on U.S. naval blockade of Iran
01:01 — Ceasefire expiry, Congress returns to session
01:11 — Congressional resignations, misconduct allegations
01:49 — New allegations against Rep. Swalwell
03:02 — Sec. of State Rubio hosts Israel-Lebanon talks
03:35 — Pope Leo XIV visits Algeria (St. Augustine’s tomb)
04:13 — New York natural gas pipeline expansion
04:33 — EPA framing: Environment vs. economy

Conclusion

This episode delivers brisk, packed updates on consequential U.S. and world events, with particular emphasis on looming talks with Iran, sweeping changes in Congressional leadership amid scandal, a new gas pipeline initiative, and international religious and diplomatic efforts. Listeners come away with a snapshot of mounting diplomatic efforts and domestic political turmoil at a critical juncture in U.S. foreign and domestic policy.

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Transcript13 lines

[00:02]
A
The president says he wants to play let's make a deal. I'm Tom Ragati, Fox News. President Trump is hinting a deal between the U.S. and Iran could be coming soon. That's according to UN Ambassador Mike Waltz. This as the U.S. naval blockage of Iranian ports continues. Fox's Greg Palcott reports.
[00:19]
B
The naval blockade imposed on Iran by the US seems to be holding. US Central Command says in the last 24 hours no ships have left Iranian ports and entered the Strait of Hormuz. They add that six ships have obeyed the imposed halt and returned to Iranian ports. The blockade is aimed at halting Iran's oil trade, opening up a mostly closed strait and getting ceasefire talks moving again. President Trump told the New York Post today talks could resume within the next two days. In Pakistan, Vice President Vance told FOX News Iran's suspect nuclear program was a main sticking point of last weekend's negotiations. In London, Greg Palcott, FOX News.
[01:02]
A
The ceasefire between the US And Iran is set to end next Tuesday. The House is back in session, but at least two reps are leaving the chamber. Fox's Bill Malugian is on Capitol Hill.
[01:11]
C
California Congressman Eric Swalwell, he announced yesterday that he is resigning from Congress amidst these sexual misconduct allegations. He's also suspended his campaign for governor of California. Then on the Republican side of the aisle, you've got Texas Congressman Tony Gonzalez, who is is facing his own sexual misconduct allegations with a former staffer. He announced he's going to be retiring from Congress and he's expected to resign imminently. And there is also the potential for Florida representatives Sheila Shirfilis McCormick and Corey Mills to both be expelled from Congress for their own alleged misconduct. A House Ethics Committee Investigation already found McCormick violated House rules and she is facing DOJ charges for allegedly stealing FEMA money.
[01:50]
A
Another woman came forward today to accuse Swalwell of drugging and raping her in 2018. America's listening to Fox News.
[02:00]
D
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[02:52]
B
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[03:02]
A
Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosting US direct talks between Israel and Lebanon today at the State Department. Israeli forces have been trading attacks with Iranian backed Hezbollah terrorists. All of the complexities of this matter are not going to be resolved in the next six hours, but we can begin to move forward to create the framework where something can happen, something very positive, something very permanent. A number of European and Western countries, including France and the UK Issued a joint statement earlier urging both sides to seize the opportunity presented by the U. S. Iran cease fire. Pope Leo XIV has walked in the footsteps of his spiritual father St. Augustine. The pontiff is making a pilgrimage to the archaeological ruins in Algeria where the 5th century Titan of early Christianity lived, died and wrote some of the most important works in Western thought. The visit to Annaba, the modern day Hippo continues Leo's four country African tour. Leo arrived Monday for the first ever papal visit. Against the backdrop of the war in Iran and feud with President Trump, environmentalists fought it. But after Governor Kathy Hochul agreed to the permit process, Trump administration officials broke ground on an expanded natural gas line into New York City.
[04:14]
E
The secretaries of Energy, Environmental Protection and the Interior all signed a new piece of the Northeast Supply Enhancement Pipeline, an expansion of the existing Transco pipeline system, which currently serves parts of Pennsylvania, New New Jersey and New York. EPA Secretary Lee Zeldin said this will now provide energy for up to 2.3 million more families in places like Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island.
[04:34]
C
The Environmental Protection Agency believes strongly that we can protect the environment and grow the economy. That's no longer a binary choice, that in order to protect the environment that you have to destroy the economy.
[04:46]
E
Expanding the line had stalled out because of environmental group and lawmaker concerns. But New York Governor Kathy Hochul reversed course and approved permits for the project last fall. Jessica Rosenthal, FOX News.
[04:56]
A
I'm Tom Bertrand.
[04:57]
F
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