Key Takeaways
- The United States has set a Saturday deadline for Iran to publicly declare the Strait of Hormuz open to all commercial shipping and pledge an end to attacks on civilian vessels.
- Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accused European leaders of "brainwashing" taxpayers to justify massive rearmament, while reiterating that nuclear weapons will only be used if the Russian state's existence is threatened.
- China has evacuated over 600,000 people in the Zhejiang and Fujian provinces as Typhoon Bavi approaches the eastern coast, with landfall expected near Wenzhou on Sunday.
- The Trump administration confirmed that the National Guard will remain activated in Washington, D.C. through Inauguration Day 2029 as part of a long-term federal anti-crime mission.
- US officials stated that any final peace deal with Iran is contingent on Tehran handing over "nuclear dust"—highly enriched uranium buried under rubble from previous US airstrikes.
The United States has escalated pressure on Tehran, demanding a public commitment to the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. This demand follows a series of military exchanges earlier this week, including US strikes on nearly 100 Iranian targets after three commercial vessels were hit in the strategic waterway. While President Donald Trump (DJT) indicated that talks in Oman would continue, he declared the previous interim ceasefire "OVER" in a post on Truth Social.
In Moscow, the Kremlin dismissed European fears of Russian aggression as a calculated effort to manipulate the public. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that European taxpayers are being "100% brainwashed" into believing they are in danger to support increased military spending. Peskov also addressed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, asserting that President Volodymyr Zelensky could end the war immediately by withdrawing troops from the Donbas and recognizing the region as part of Russia.
The humanitarian and economic stakes in the Middle East remain tied to a potential permanent peace settlement. US officials have clarified that a deal depends on Iran surrendering "nuclear dust"—material from enriched uranium sites damaged by US strikes. Washington warned that if Tehran refuses to hand over the material, the US possesses "low-cost military options" to ensure the uranium remains permanently buried.
In Asia, China is bracing for the impact of Typhoon Bavi, which is currently moving toward the eastern coast with the moisture volume roughly the size of France. Authorities have upgraded the emergency response to Level III, suspending ferry services and placing 170,000 rescue workers on standby. The storm has already contributed to at least 17 deaths in the Philippines due to enhanced monsoon rains.
Domestically, the White House has solidified its security posture in the capital. The continued activation of the National Guard in Washington, D.C. through 2029 marks a historic extension of federal authority over local law enforcement. This move, initiated under Executive Order 14333, aims to combat what the administration describes as a "crime emergency" and includes the creation of specialized quick-reaction units.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.