Bondi Testifies on Epstein Files: Partisan Clash Ahead

0:00On April 29th, President Trump is directing his team to ramp up a long-term blockade on Iran's ports, hitting their money flow hard to push for real. Changes in their nuclear plans, and key meetings, like one in the situation room on Monday, he picked his path over bombing runs or pulling back entirely, seeing it as the safe or play right now. Since the ceasefire kicked in on April 7th, ending big U.S. airstrikes, Trump has kept the pressure on without full-on war, while leaving the thirst, door cracked for talks. Shipping through the straight of Hormuz has dropped to its lowest since the trouble started, and he's made it clear any deal has to gut Iran's nuclear. Set up completely, this dragout has jacked up gas prices across the board, dinged Trump's approval ratings, and got Republicans sweating the midterm elections. Folks in the White House say the squeeze is maxing out U.S. leverage, with Iran stacking up unsold oil and reaching out quietly amid the pain. Trump shot down Iran's latest offer to reopen the straight, but delay nuptox, calling

1:02it bad faith, and he posted on truth social that it's driving, them to or collapse. Negotiations are frozen, as Tehran consults their top leader, and even Secretary of State Marco Rubio notes their internal fights are slowing, everything down. With a standoff in its eighth week, officials figure no quick fixes coming, no big deal or fresh battles soon, and their brace for Iran maybe. Lashing out of ships or energy spots to test the blockade's edge. That's the story for today, U.S. News Today, Driven by AI.