Sep 2, 2026, 06:30 PM UTC

Six months after Iranian restrictions disrupted the Strait of Hormuz following US and Israeli strikes, daily maritime transits have dropped from 95 to around 15.

Tehran reiterated that the strategic waterway will stay closed until Washington meets its demands, which include lifting port blockades and oil sanctions, unfreezing assets, and stopping military action. Military friction escalated as US forces conducted night-time oil escorts, prompting Iranian forces to deploy rocket-launched sea mines. In response, the US military launched strikes against Iranian installations on Larak Island.

Despite ongoing military escalation, Iranian officials reported reaching an agreement with Oman to establish a safe navigation route through the strait.

Sources: Expresso, Expresso das Ilhas, Jornal Económico, RTP (Rádio e Televisão de Portugal).

Russian authorities have intensified political repression ahead of September's parliamentary elections, outlawing the anti-war Yabloko party and sentencing politician Lev Shlosberg to 11 years in prison. The crackdown aligns with Russia's traditional "Black August," a period historically marked by political and economic volatility that Kremlin officials are currently downplaying.

Concerns are also growing over a potential new wave of post-election military mobilization to cover heavy casualties in Ukraine, prompting some citizens to liquidate assets and attempt to leave the country. Concurrently, analysts warn of systemic governance risks surrounding President Vladimir Putin, 73, due to the lack of a clear succession mechanism. Internationally, Western intelligence reports suggest Moscow could test NATO's cohesion through cyber operations, hybrid tactics, or minor territorial incursions in the coming years.

Sources: Avaz, Danas, Index, Klix, Vijesti

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his rejection of a 15-point US-backed peace plan for Gaza, insisting that Israeli military forces will not pull out of the territory until Hamas is fully disarmed. In televised cabinet remarks, Netanyahu stated that "Israel rejects the 15-point document" and emphasized that troops "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed".

The plan, which was endorsed in late July by US President Donald Trump and accepted by Hamas, aims to secure a lasting cessation of hostilities. Although Israeli offensive operations have eased under Washington's diplomatic pressure, Netanyahu faces complex domestic dynamics ahead of Israel's parliamentary elections on October 27, balancing far-right coalition partners against pressure from the United States.

Sources: Cyprus Mail, France24, STV News, The Guardian, The Herald

Portugal's government announced that temporary centers for undocumented migrants will reach 171 places in September, falling short of its original target of 300 spots. Expansion work at the Porto installation facility drove the increased capacity.

Meanwhile, national figures highlighted persistent social issues, with law enforcement logging over 14,000 domestic violence cases, averaging 82 reported incidents daily. Concurrently, eight Afghan women marked one year of resettlement in Portugal after fleeing Taliban restrictions on female employment, education, and public life.

Regionally, International Organization for Migration data revealed a 78 percent decline in arrivals via the West African Atlantic route in early 2026. Experts attributed the fall to enhanced surveillance between Senegal and Mauritania, though remaining transit routes have become increasingly hazardous for migrants.

Sources: Diário de Notícias (DN), Expresso, Expresso das Ilhas, RTP (Rádio e Televisão de Portugal)

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has resumed legislative work following a six-week summer break, confronting severe financial and policy hurdles. Fico rejected statutory debt brake rules requiring a balanced budget, describing a deficit-free proposal as "science fiction" as officials face a required two-billion-euro consolidation effort.

The cabinet approved a constitutional amendment permitting referendums to trigger early parliamentary elections, though the ruling coalition currently lacks sufficient votes for legislative passage. In energy policy, plans for a state-owned nuclear facility remain stalled due to valuation disputes regarding Czech utility ČEZ's stake. Additionally, Fico dismissed opposition demands for Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok's resignation over security concerns regarding Russian components found in national traffic monitoring cameras.

Sources: Seznam Zprávy, Respect, Denník N, iROZHLAS, Hospodářské noviny