America Now - August 4, 9 PM EST

Deal or no deal? US and Iran send mixed signals on potential end to the war
We’ve told you for weeks that this war with Iran isn’t just a political mistake but that it is a strategic mistake when it comes to US power. Now we have a pair of stories that seem to prove what we’ve been telling you. First: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US could have a deal with Iran by tomorrow to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. But here’s what makes that statement so interesting. Iran has signaled it is willing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but only if Tehran gets the right to collect transit fees. They also want security guarantees against future attacks, an end to the US naval blockade, and relief from the US oil sanctions. The United States has rejected those demands. But in the meantime, Iran is publicly rejecting the very notion that a deal is taking place. So what’s true and what’s not? America Now anchor Ben Swann talks with retired Air Force officer Karen Kwiatkowski. Plus, Telegram briefly vanishes from the App Store after Russia charged Telegram founder Pavel Durov over allegations that the platform failed to remove content linked to terrorism. But Durov says the real issue isn’t terrorism at all; it’s that he refused government demands for surveillance and censorship. The case is now fueling a much larger debate over free speech, online moderation, and whether tech founders should be held personally responsible for what happens on their platforms. America Now’s Olivia Flynn joins us with the story.