Washington, June 23 (UNI)

US President Donald Trump is set to face Republican senators on Capitol Hill on Wednesday amid growing tensions over his push for the SAVE America Act and a controversial agreement with Iran.

The meeting, arranged by Senator Rick Scott, comes at a time when relations between the White House and several GOP senators are at their lowest point of Trump's second term.

Republicans are bracing for a candid and potentially heated discussion on issues that have divided the party in recent weeks.

The sharpest disagreement concerns Trump's demand that Senate Republicans find a way to pass the SAVE America Act, his top legislative priority. Trump has urged Senate Majority Leader John Thune to abolish or weaken the filibuster to overcome Democratic opposition.

However, Thune has repeatedly resisted the idea, arguing that there are not enough Republican votes to change Senate rules. "Senator Thune, to his credit, has told him the truth and that is we don't have the votes," Senstor John Cornyn said, US media reported.

Cornyn also criticized fellow Republicans for encouraging expectations that the legislation could still pass. "I think Mike Lee is contributing to this fantasy that somehow it's going to happen," The Hill quoted him as saying.
The meeting is also expected to focus on the Trump administration's memorandum of understanding with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Many Senate Republicans have expressed frustration over the lack of a detailed briefing on the agreement and remain skeptical about its terms.

The outcome of Wednesday's meeting could shape Republican unity heading into a crucial legislative and political period.

000

Washington, Jun 15

Crude oil prices fell sharply dropping to their lowest levels in more than three months after the US and Iran agreed to extend their ceasefire, boosting expectations that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could soon return to levels closer to their pre-war setting.

Brent crude, the global benchmark, fell 3.6% to $84.21 a barrel after initially posting even steeper losses. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) dropped more than 4% to $81.38 a barrel, reports Axios.

The decline comes amid reports that Washington and Tehran had reached an agreement that could pave the way for the reopening of the strategic waterway, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil trade normally passes.
Due to the strait's disruption, tanker traffic in the strait fell to an all-time low and triggered a sharp rise in energy prices worldwide.

The resulting supply shock led to surging fuel costs across all major economies such as China, Japan, South Korea, GCC nations, the EU, Britain, Singapore and drove US petrol prices to their highest levels since 2022, adding to the many economic and political woes of the ruling GOP ahead of the midterm elections.

Average US petrol prices climbed to around $4.56 per gallon in May before easing in recent weeks. According to AAA data, the national average has since fallen to about $4.07 per gallon, although that remains more than $1 above pre-war levels.

The latest agreement is considered as being the most significant diplomatic breakthrough since the war began, and if implemented, could substantially boost tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and help ease concerns over global energy supplies.

Questions continue to hover over how quickly shipowners and operators will regain confidence in using the route after months of disruption and security concerns.

The market also faces practical challenges. Even if the waterway is fully reopened, Gulf producers that reduced output when exports were disrupted will need time to restore production and rebuild supply chains.

As a result, while oil prices have reacted quickly to signs of progress, industry experts expect the process of normalising energy markets to take considerably longer, with pre-war shipping unlikely to be restored any time soon.

000

Washington, June 15 (Sputnik/UNI)

US President Donald Trump on Sunday confirmed that an agreement had been reached with Iran, describing it as a significant diplomatic breakthrough.

"The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations to all!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Following the announcement, Trump said he had authorised the reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz and ordered the immediate removal of the US naval blockade.

"I hereby fully authorise the toll-free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorise the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade. Ships of the world, start your engines. Let the oil flow!" Trump said in a post on social media.

Earlier, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had announced that a peace agreement between the United States and Iran had been successfully negotiated. According to Sharif, both sides agreed to an immediate and permanent cessation of military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon.

"Following intensive talks, we are pleased to announce that the Peace Deal between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran has been reached," Sharif said in a post on X.

He added that the two countries would formally sign the agreement in Switzerland on June 19.

"Both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon. The official signing ceremony will be on Friday, June 19, in Switzerland," Sharif stated.

The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important oil transit routes, has long been a focal point of tensions in the Gulf region. The reported agreement and reopening of the waterway could have significant implications for global energy markets and regional stability.