STRAIT RESTRICTION CHANGE: Iran has agreed to allow "non-hostile" vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz if they coordinate with Iranian authorities and meet safety regulations.
Multiple outlets reported Iran's Foreign Ministry updated its stance in a letter to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which said it has circulated the statement with its members and nongovernmental organizations. The ministry also shared its note with the United Nations Security Council.
Iran said it has taken "necessary and proportionate measures" to prevent "aggressors and their supporters from exploiting" the strait to conduct hostilities against it. It specifically noted that any vessels, equipment and assets belonging to the U.S. and Israel and others participating in the "aggression" aren't eligible.
While the extent of the change isn't immediately clear, it could help mitigate oil prices that have continued to soar globally over the past few weeks as the war has raged on. Trump said earlier Tuesday Iran gave the U.S. a "very big present" related to the flow of oil and gas in the strait.
Prices dropped Monday after Trump announced he was delaying threatened strikes on Iran's power plants and starting conversations with Iranian leaders, but the extent of those talks has been shrouded in contradictory indicators.
Although Iran initially denied that any conversations were happening with the Trump administration, CNN reported Tuesday that an Iranian source said the U.S. had initiated "outreach" to Iran and Tehran was willing to listen to "sustainable" proposals to end the war.
The New York Times reported the U.S. sent Iran a 15-point plan to end the war through Pakistan, as its top Army chief has emerged as a mediator between the two adversaries. The plan covers Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs and maritime routes
Various Iranian officials showed defiance Tuesday evening with statements condemning the U.S.
"The one who once spoke of regime change and the fragmentation of Iran now hopes that someone in Iran will engage in dialogue with him; though this, too, is merely an attempt at deception," said Saeed Jalili, a spokesperson for Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, in a post on the social platform X.
"International law is dead in practice—driven by Western double standards on Gaza vs. Ukraine and silence on Israel–U.S. aggression on Iran," said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in a post on X.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon plans to deploy 2,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East, increasing the U.S. military presence in the region, a source familiar with the matter told The Hill.
▪ The Hill: Venezuelan, Cuban hard-liners urge regime change.
▪ The Hill: International nuclear safety agency calls for 'restraint.'
CPAC IN TEXAS: The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) starts today in Texas, welcoming top Republican candidates, influencers and activists from around the country.
Trump has dominated the convention for the past decade since he first rose as the party's de facto leader, but he's reportedly skipping the conference for the first time since he first took office in 2017.
The focus instead may shift to 2028 as some of the top potential contenders for the GOP presidential nomination compete in a shadow primary. One litmus test of where potential candidates stand will be CPAC's annual straw poll, which could give an indication of the current mood and interests for some of the party's most conservative elements.
Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are two of the top buzzed-about names going in.
Texas's ongoing primary runoff between Sen. John Cornyn (R) and state Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) also will loom over the convention. Paxton is scheduled to speak Friday, while Cornyn is not currently slated to make an appearance.
Both are still seeking Trump's coveted endorsement to help them get over the finish line.
Read more from The Hill's Caroline Vakil here on what to watch for at CPAC.
▪ The Hill: Trump preemptively endorses wife of GOP chair for Congress.
▪ The Dallas Morning News: Paxton to be a featured speaker while Cornyn skips event.
DEBATE CANCELED: A debate scheduled for the California gubernatorial race was canceled Tuesday following criticism over a lack of candidates of color invited to participate.
The debate was set to feature Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco and Democrats Eric Swalwell, Tom Steyer, Katie Porter and Matt Mahan, all of whom are white, at the University of Southern California (USC). The university said it had determined a formula to decide who makes the debate stage based on polling and fundraising.
But that left out four major Democratic candidates of color — Antonio Villaraigosa, Xavier Becerra, Betty Yee and Tony Thurmond.
The inclusion of Mahan, the San Jose mayor who has struggled in polling but raised significant amounts of money from Big Tech, particularly stirred backlash.
USC said it canceled the debate after it couldn't agree with the broadcaster over how to expand the debate.
MINNESOTA LAWSUIT: Minnesota has sued the Department of Justice (DOJ) for a second time for evidence in the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents earlier this year.
The case comes as the Trump administration has continued to refuse to conduct a joint investigation with the state into the deaths of the two protesters.
The state initially filed the case in Minnesota, but a federal judge last month refused to issue a restraining order against the federal government. Instead, Minnesota moved on Tuesday to dismiss that case and filed in Washington, D.C.
The lawsuit argues the administration is violating the 10th Amendment to the Constitution, infringing on Minnesota's sovereignty.
▪ The Hill: Judge refuses to drop case against Elon Musk.
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