Wednesday, September 2nd

U.S. Central Command said American forces began striking IRGC targets in Iran at 12 p.m. ET Tuesday, citing recent attempted attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and U.S. service members. The strikes hit air-defense, communications and radar sites; Iranian officials said attacks near the Strait caused significant damage and killed four people at a wedding. Iran responded with missiles and drones targeting U.S.-linked sites in Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and Iraq. Trump warned Tehran against retaliation as U.S. embassies cautioned Americans about escalation and flight cancellations.

The White House said Monday that the Venezuela oil agreement will run through North American Blue Energy Partners, with the Pentagon’s Office of Strategic Capital taking a 35% equity stake after Venezuela granted the company 100-year concessions for 17 oil fields. The deal gives the U.S. a guaranteed 20% of NABEP’s current and future oil output. Energy Secretary Chris Wright is expected to travel to Venezuela for Chevron’s planned announcement expanding operations there. The arrangement has drawn opposition from Venezuela’s democratic opposition and orthodox Chavismo.

The House voted 370-48 to pass a continuing resolution funding federal agencies through Dec. 11, sending the Senate-approved bill to President Donald Trump and averting a shutdown when funding was set to lapse Sept. 30. The measure keeps most spending at current levels, pushing broader annual budget negotiations until after the midterm elections. Twenty-nine Democrats and 19 Republicans opposed the bill. The package also temporarily blocks a White House plan to give political appointees more control over federal research grants and delays a hemp-products ban until Dec. 11.