Sep 3, 2026, 06:30 AM UTC

Six months after Iran restricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz, daily maritime crossings have fallen from 95 to approximately 15. Tehran maintains that the waterway "will not be opened" until Washington meets its demands, which include lifting petroleum sanctions, unfreezing assets, ending port blockades, and stopping military action.

Military confrontations in the region have escalated alongside diplomatic efforts. After U.S. forces began conducting night-time tanker escorts, Iranian troops deployed rocket-launched sea mines, prompting a U.S. strike against military targets on Larak Island. Concurrently, diplomatic avenues remain active, with Iranian officials confirming a navigation arrangement reached with Oman following three weeks of bilateral negotiations.

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

U.S. President Donald Trump suggested a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could be finalized "today or tomorrow," despite confirming that no direct bilateral talks with Tehran are planned. Trump insisted the waterway remains "open and operational," even as commercial shipping volume dropped another 20 percent last week following a recent vessel attack.

Meanwhile, Iranian officials maintained that the strait will remain closed until Washington alters its policy, emphasizing that discussions with Oman focus strictly on establishing safe maritime corridors. Tehran also warned it would launch an offensive if diplomacy fails. Concurrently, broader regional security efforts remain stalled as Israel demands the total disarmament of Hamas before withdrawing troops from Gaza, despite Hamas accepting the second phase of a U.S.-backed peace proposal.

Sources: Beta, CDM (Cafe del Montenegro), Dan, Vijesti

As Russia prepares for upcoming parliamentary elections, domestic political pressure and public anxiety are rising across the country. Authorities have intensified measures against opposition voices, officially banning the anti-war Yabloko party and sentencing senior figure Lev Shlosberg to 11 years in prison.

Simultaneously, fears of a potential military mobilization following the vote have prompted some citizens to liquidate assets and plan travel abroad, despite official assurances that no conscription wave is planned. Observers also point to governance risks during the late-summer "Black August" period, emphasizing the lack of an established succession plan for 73-year-old President Vladimir Putin.

Beyond its borders, Moscow maintains close focus on upcoming snap elections in Serbia, frequently cautioning against potential "color revolution" scenarios in the region.

Sources: Avaz, Danas, Klix, N1, Vijesti

Cross-border attacks between Ukraine and Russia have intensified as Ukrainian drone strikes targeted logistics hubs belonging to Russian e-commerce giants Wildberries and Ozon. Strikes hit facilities across Leningrad Oblast, Moscow Oblast, and Dagestan, causing fires and economic disruption. Authorities reported five fatalities at a warehouse in Moscow Oblast and seven deaths, including three children, when a drone crashed onto a beach in Krasnodar Krai. Concurrently, Russian air attacks on Kyiv resulted in nine deaths and dozens of injuries.

Along the frontline, Russian troops made tactical gains near Artelne in Kharkiv Oblast, while Ukrainian forces reported advances toward Uspenivka and Velyka Novosilka. In neighboring Belarus, officials announced the establishment of a new air assault brigade near the border with Ukraine.

Sources: Mediazona, Point, Radio Svoboda, The Guardian, The Insider

US President Donald Trump is confronting heightened scrutiny over his economic, foreign, and domestic strategies. A recent Financial Times and Focaldata survey revealed that a majority of registered US voters report feeling economically worse off during his current term.

In foreign policy, the State Department notified Congress of plans to close five overseas diplomatic missions to cut costs, raising concerns among critics that the move could enable China to expand its global influence. Domestically, Trump signed two executive orders aimed at restricting birthright citizenship and banning birth tourism, following a Supreme Court ruling against earlier efforts. Media commentaries suggest these developments reflect waning political momentum as his administration navigates domestic resistance and foreign policy trade-offs.

Sources: Avaz, CDM, Danas, N1, Vijesti.