— Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), quoted by the Washington Post.

“That is why it was shocking when Trump told reporters Saturday morning that he rejected an Iranian plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the key shipping corridor whose disruption has upended the global economy.”

Bloomberg: Trump rejects Iran’s Hormuz offer as U.S. borrowing costs, oil rise.

“The country is the world’s fourth-largest oil producer and fifth-largest natural-gas producer. The oil-and-gas sector represents about a fifth of the country’s exports, making it the largest contributor, according to Statistics Canada. But it sends nearly all of its natural-gas exports and about 90% of crude-oil exports to the U.S. limiting its global influence.”

“President Trump’s trade war and the Iran conflict have ignited Canada’s ambition to diversify its energy exports.”

“Le Pen called the results a ‘historic victory’ and ‘major milestone’ after her party cleared the 10-seat threshold to be able to form a senate group for the first time, following an indirect vote by local officials including mayors and councillors.”

“Republican members for months have acknowledged that rising gas prices and other costs, largely stemming from the Iran war, are a massive problem, especially for their electoral prospects. That talk finally hit reality in recent days as the bottom fell out of polls in a number of states.”

Washington Post: The Senate map is looking even better for Democrats. Here are races to watch.

“The shift is already starting to show in advertising reservations and campaign finance filings. Since September 1, major Republican groups and megadonors have begun spending in at least 39 congressional races where they haven’t previously deployed money this cycle, a Reuters review of spending by some of the largest Republican political groups shows.”

Bloomberg: Midterm fight expands into Republican strongholds.

“Lawmakers’ growing reluctance to fulfill Hegseth’s eye-popping budget request reflects real intraparty concerns about his leadership, his relationship with Congress, and the ongoing war with Iran. It also punctuates months of drama at the Pentagon over the ouster and resignation of various top officials, in addition to reports of blocked military promotions.”

“Hegseth’s fraying ties on the Hill put him on course for a bigger headache after the election.”

”The Senate is expected to vote on legislation this week meant to protect consumers from high electricity costs caused in part by the data center building boom. And some Republicans are pushing to take up other bills to address voters’ frustrations with the cost of living.”

“Late-night talk show hosts joked about symptoms that included explosive diarrhea. As a precaution, chain restaurants such as Chipotle and Taco Bell yanked lettuce, jalapeños, and other suspected products from menus. Some food safety scientists blamed the outbreaks on federal cuts to public health.”

“These dynamics collectively have raised questions about whether it’s safe to order a salad or burger.”

“Now, a CNN KFile investigation has uncovered since-removed posts from the past six years in which French repeatedly advocated having public executions for political opponents, including former President Barack Obama.”

“In Iowa, Michigan and Ohio, the party’s Senate candidates have urged President Trump to bring an end to the Iran war. In Kansas, an incumbent senator in an unexpectedly tough re-election fight has admonished the administration over immigration raids. Just about every Republican wishes Mr. Trump would just focus on the economy.”

“Instead, he spent last week threatening to escalate the war — a move that could further drive up the prices of gas and diesel fuel.”

“Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has told donors at fundraisers and dinners in recent months to consider putting money into Mississippi.”

”Fears are growing that Moscow could use the sprawling Arctic archipelago — a part of Norway with an unusual legal status — to test NATO militarily amid growing uncertainty over the U.S. commitment to European defense.”

“It hasn’t worked out that way.”

“Inflation is rising, the Fed is raising rates and the 10-year Treasury yield is well above where it stood on Inauguration Day, when the new team blamed high rates on runaway Biden-era spending. Last week, that yield reached the highest level since 2007 as investors weighed a resilient economy, prolonged energy disruptions that threaten to aggravate price pressures and a central bank losing patience waiting for them to fade.”

“But those efforts haven’t translated into real gains yet, leaving the U.S. and allies with depleted stocks of important weapons while it fights Iran. Most of the new missiles will arrive too late for any conflict in the next couple of years.”

“Mediators involved in the talks said it is a long-shot bid to get Iran to placate Trump on the issue he cares about most.”

— Charlie Cook, quoted by Mediaite.