President Donald Trump capped a volatile week with military strikes against Iran, a sweeping oil deal with Venezuela, and a jobs report that exceeded expectations, even as questions mount about his engagement with Republican midterm candidates.
American forces struck rocket launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, the first U.S. military action against Iran in a month. U.S. Central Command said the launchers were positioned to deploy naval mines in the strategic waterway that handles roughly one-fifth of global oil traffic.
Trump Claims Iran Military “Almost Entirely Gone”
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump assessed the damage from weeks of sanctions and blockade operations. “Their navy is gone. Their air force is gone. Their surveillance equipment is almost entirely gone,” he said. “That doesn’t mean we won’t smack them. We’ll see what happens.”
The strikes follow Trump’s pivot to what the administration calls a “sanctions and blockade offense” against Tehran, a strategy that has disrupted Iranian military operations but raised concerns about potential escalation in the Persian Gulf.
Venezuela Oil Deal Secures 65 Billion Barrels
Trump simultaneously announced a major oil agreement with Venezuela that gives the United States effective control of 65 billion barrels of proven reserves through a new entity called NABEP, which will receive Pentagon investment. The deal represents a dramatic shift in U.S.-Venezuela relations and a significant assertion of American influence over Latin American energy resources.
The announcement came during a ceremony at the White House, though details about which Venezuelan officials attended and which U.S. lawmakers were present remained unclear as of Friday.
Midterm Questions Linger Despite Economic News
The week’s foreign policy maneuvers unfolded against a backdrop of persistent questions about Trump’s commitment to Republican midterm campaigns. Multiple sources close to GOP candidates have expressed concern about the president’s focus on international issues rather than campaign events, though White House officials maintain Trump remains engaged with key races.
The week ended with welcome economic news for the administration, as the jobs report showed stronger-than-expected growth, providing Republicans with potential ammunition heading into the final stretch before November’s elections.
Key Points
- U.S. forces hit Iranian rocket launchers positioned to mine the Strait of Hormuz in first strike in a month
- Venezuela oil deal gives America effective control of 65 billion barrels through Pentagon-backed company
- Questions persist about Trump’s midterm engagement despite strong jobs numbers providing Republican tailwind
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/4711692/white-house-report-card-bombs-ballots-welcome-jobs-boost/ – September 04, 2026
