US: Trump Offers Compromise On FISA To Break Stalemate With Democrats

US President Donald Trump has been speaking to US networks earlier this morning. Speaking to Fox News, Trump says that the US is considering renewing "Project Freedom", the idea to have the US escort ships through the Straits of Hormuz. Stating that the US Navy guiding vessels through the Strait would "only be a piece of it", Trump says that the 'nuclear dust' (referring to Iran's enriched uranium stockpiles believed to be under rubble at nuclear facilities following the July 2025 Operation Midnight Hammer strikes) must be removed by the US. 

• However, Trump again refuses to put a timeline on events, saying the US will "deal with them" until Tehran agrees to a deal. Trump claims that hardliners in Iran are ready to fold, but that he is not seeking regime change.
• Speaking to CBS, Trump says regarding Iran's reaction to US peace proposals, "they have not been enough" and their proposal is still "very stupid."
• Away from the Middle East, Trump says that he is “seriously considering making Venezuela the 51st US state”, claiming that the country holds oil reserves worth USD40 trillion and that “Venezuela loves Trump”. Such a move remains overwhelmingly unlikely, but nevertheless indicates Trump's intention to bring Venezuela firmly into the US sphere of influence on economic and political matters.
• On CBS News, Trump confirms Energy Secretary Chris Wright's comments over the weekend, saying that he wants to pause the ~18-cent/gallon federal gasoline tax for a period of time. Says a pause would remain until gas prices fall, at which point it would be phased back in. 

“*TRUMP: TO MEET LARGE GROUP OF GENERALS ABOUT IRAN” BBG

• US TSY 13W AUCTION: NON-COMP BIDS $1.812 BLN FROM $89.000 BLN TOTAL