It’s been another eventful week, with political leaders making bold statements and setting the stage for future events. Here’s a quick recap of the major political stories that came in over the week.
Ray Dalio Says ‘Final Battle’ At the Strait of Hormuz Is Here
Billionaire investor Ray Dalio warned that the Iran war’s outcome hinges entirely on the Strait of Hormuz, saying a decisive clash is imminent. He pointed back to his earlier warnings from when the war began, arguing that continued Iranian leverage over the strait threatens Gulf allies, global oil flows, and the dollar’s reserve-currency status. His comments came shortly after U.S. Central Command struck Iranian drone storage sites following Tehran’s reported rejection of a cease-fire proposal.
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Trump Says He Is ‘Close’ to Ordering Massive Attack on Iran
President Donald Trump said he is nearing a decision on a “massive attack” on Iran that would surpass previous strikes in the nearly five-month conflict, adding that Israel would join “in two minutes” if asked. Meanwhile, Pakistan is reportedly working, with encouragement from China, to reopen U.S.-Iran diplomatic channels. The conflict has also broadened, with Houthi rebels claiming attacks on Saudi oil tankers and Iran reportedly striking a U.S. base in Jordan.
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Hunter Biden Says the US Is Being Divided on Purpose
Hunter Biden argued the country isn’t as divided as it seems but is instead being deliberately split by wealthy elites who benefit from the conflict. He called for a “New New Deal” centered on healthcare, affordable housing, and an end to endless wars, and proposed an AI-driven dividend for all Americans. He also called for “truth and reconciliation, not revenge” in addressing accountability.
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Treasury Sanctions Iranian Financier Babak Zanjani’s ‘Dot One’ Network
The Treasury Department sanctioned nine firms and four individuals tied to Iranian financier Babak Zanjani‘s “Dot One” network, alleging the group helped Iran evade existing sanctions. Two UK-registered crypto exchanges were flagged for allegedly processing over $94 million linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the move reflects continued pressure on Iranian regime elites as the rial hits record lows.
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Trump’s Ally Hints at Blocking Netflix, Amazon, ESPN From 2030 World Cup Rights
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr, an ally of President Donald Trump, suggested the administration wants to keep World Cup games available for free over the air rather than locked behind streaming services, hinting at pushback against bids from Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX), Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN), or ESPN, owned by Walt Disney Co. (NYSE:DIS). Fox Corp (NASDAQ:FOXA) and Comcast Corp. (NASDAQ:CMCSA) currently hold U.S. rights for the 2026 tournament.
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