Overview
- Treasury sanctioned 29 vessels and their managers tied to Iran’s shadow fleet that moves oil and petrochemicals, expanding actions officials say are squeezing Tehran’s energy revenues.
- The Senate passed the FY2026 defense bill 77–20 after House approval, sending a $901 billion package to the White House that funds Ukraine, supports Baltic security, sets a floor for U.S. troop levels in Europe, and removes tough Syria sanctions.
- President Trump announced a “complete and absolute” blockade on all sanctioned tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, with operational details and legal mechanisms still unclear and Caracas dismissing the move as absurd.
- U.S. deployments near Venezuela now include thousands of troops and nearly a dozen warships, and recent maritime seizures near the country have been reported alongside fatalities linked to interdictions.
- Oil prices rose about 1–1.3% after the blockade declaration as traders weighed potential Venezuelan export disruptions and assessed the scope of enforcement.