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Hormuz Negotiations, Michigan Senate Race, Trump Talks Economy

August 6, 2026

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5 min read

Hormuz Negotiations, Michigan Senate Race, Trump Talks Economy

President Trump has been claiming for days that a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is imminent. Now Iran is saying the same thing — but the negotiations are happening directly with Oman, not the United States. Meanwhile, a progressive candidate won a hard-fought primary for an open Michigan Senate seat, and President Trump traveled to Las Vegas to sell an economic message that even some Republican candidates are quietly distancing themselves from.

Strait of Hormuz: A Deal Through Oman

The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical waterways for oil and gas exports, has been effectively closed since the US and Israel attacked Iran more than five months ago. Now Iran says it is in the final stages of a deal with Oman to reopen it — though not completely.

Iran's deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, told state media that talks with Oman have covered technical arrangements, security details, and a proposed joint coordination center to manage maritime traffic. Under the proposed arrangement, temporary routes would allow ships to pass through Iran's waters and exit through Omani waters. But Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, said the deal would not guarantee safe navigation, citing what he called a US blockade of Iran's ports.

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What you'll learn

  • 1 Hormuz Negotiations, Michigan Senate Race, Trump Talks Economy
  • 2 (00:02) **Strait of Hormuz Talks** - Iran says a deal with Oman to partially reopen the strait is in its final stages
  • 3 (03:33) **US Role in Hormuz Negotiations** - Trump claims US is in talks with Iran, while Iran denies direct US involvement
  • 4 (04:16) **Iran's Demands for Control** - Iran has consistently insisted on some form of control over the strait
  • 5 (04:52) **Houthi Attacks on Red Sea** - Iran-backed Houthis strike two Saudi oil tankers, threatening to close another key shipping route
  • 6 (05:49) **Michigan Senate Race Begins** - Progressive Abdul El-Sayed wins narrow primary victory, setting up a competitive general election
  • 7 (07:00) **El-Sayed's Campaign Strategy** - The progressive candidate built a coalition around a populist platform and young voters

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Show Notes

President Trump has claimed several times that a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is close. Now Iran is saying it too, but in a deal that is being negotiated directly with Oman. Progressive Democrat Abdul El-Sayed eked out a primary victory for a Michigan Senate seat. He now faces former GOP Congressman Mike Rogers in November. And President Trump traveled to Las Vegas, where he claimed the economy was fine and blamed Democrats for high prices. 

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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Padma Rama, Tina Kraja, Rebekah Metzler, HJ Mai and Alice Woelfle.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.

Our director is Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis and Patrick Murray. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

And our deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens.

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(0:00) Introduction
(01:59) Hormuz Negotiations
(05:43) Michigan Senate Race
(09:27) Trump Talks Economy

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