Putin Offers Uranium Mediation Amid Strait of Hormuz Standoff

In a significant diplomatic shift, Russian President Vladimir Putin has publicly offered to facilitate the transfer of Iran's uranium stockpile to Russia. The proposal emerges as a potential back-channel to address Tehran's nuclear program during a period of heightened regional tension. While the U.S. continues to conduct airstrikes against military targets, the Russian offer represents a possible alternative to direct negotiations between Washington and Tehran. On the military and economic front, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reported that hundreds of oil tankers remain stuck in the Strait of Hormuz, with some vessels reportedly on fire following Iranian actions. Hegseth described the disruption as evidence of Tehran's 'sheer desperation,' noting that U.S. forces maintain dominance over the critical waterway despite the ongoing chaos. To reinforce this position, U.S. Central Command confirmed that B-2 bombers have been utilized to neutralize Iranian threats and degrade long-term capabilities. The U.S. military presence in the Middle East has been further bolstered by the deployment of approximately 5,000 additional troops. This move is intended to prevent Iranian recovery from recent strikes and to reassure regional allies. While the maritime situation remains an 'economic logjam,' no new sanctions or nuclear breakthroughs have been officially confirmed in the last 24-hour period.