Hormuz Blockade Begins as Congress Faces Multiple Scandals

The Strait of Hormuz blockade went into effect Monday at 10 a.m. ET, with President Trump warning that any Iranian fast attack ships approaching the blockade would face "quick and brutal" elimination. Meanwhile, Capitol Hill returns from recess facing an unprecedented wave of expulsion calls against multiple members of Congress, and the war of words between the White House and the Vatican escalated sharply.

The Blockade and What Iran Must Accept

Vice President JD Vance returned from weekend negotiations in Pakistan on Sunday without a deal. According to Daily Wire White House correspondent Mary Margaret Olihan, the talks revealed a fundamental disconnect: the Iranians "had fundamentally misunderstood the cards that they had in their hand." Vance left after making a final offer because, as Olihan reported, "if the Iranians believe they have leverage that they don't have, no deal is possible."