Four Fingers News — Tuesday, May 26, 2026
FOUR FINGERS NEWS
The News, Neat.
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
From the Editor
Day 88. The ceasefire held for seven weeks. Then, overnight, US missiles hit launch sites and mine-laying boats near Bandar Abbas, Sirik and Jask — three explosions heard before dawn — while Iranian negotiators were still in Doha talking to Qatari mediators. CENTCOM calls it self-defense with restraint. Tehran calls it a grave violation. The IRGC says it downed a Reaper and reserves the right to respond. This is a ceasefire in which both sides are shooting and both sides insist they want a deal. It landed the day after Memorial Day, which feels like something worth noticing. The talks continue anyway; the MOU is still unsigned. If the pen is going to beat the missile, it needs to move faster than this. Stay close.
— T.
The Run Down
IRAN
US Strikes Missile Sites And Mine-Layers Near Bandar Abbas Overnight; IRGC Claims Downed Reaper, Vows Response
Three explosions woke Bandar Abbas before dawn as US forces struck Iranian missile launch sites and boats laying mines near Bandar Abbas, Sirik and Jask — the first major kinetic action since the Pakistan-brokered ceasefire took hold Apr 8. CENTCOM framed the strikes as self-defense; Iran’s foreign ministry called them a clear violation of the ceasefire in the Hormozgan region. The IRGC says it downed an MQ-9 Reaper drone and claims a “legitimate and definite” right to retaliate — hours after Iranian negotiators met Qatari mediators in Doha. The 60-day MOU remains unsigned.
MARKETS
Wall Street Reopens At Records As Crude Whipsaws On The Strikes
The S&P 500 closed Friday at a record 7,473 after an eighth straight weekly gain, and futures pointed higher into Tuesday’s post-holiday reopen. WTI, down about 5% Monday on deal optimism near $91, ticked back above $92 after the overnight strikes near Hormuz.
SCOTUS
Term Winds Down With Immigration, Mail Ballots And Presidential Power Pending
The justices are expected to hand down major rulings in the coming weeks on immigration, mail-in voting and the limits of executive authority. The decisions follow a Voting Rights Act ruling the Congressional Black Caucus says could cost Black lawmakers as many as 19 seats.
WASHINGTON
War-Powers Measure Still Awaits A House Floor Fight As Members Return
Kaine’s resolution cleared a Senate procedural vote 50–47 with four Republicans crossing over, but House leaders pushed the showdown to early June. The chamber is back from the Memorial Day recess this week.
NORTHWEST
Washington Pumps Stay Near Records As The Hormuz Premium Lingers
The state average, second only to California’s, holds in record territory with the strait disruption stacked atop the carbon program and gas tax. A reopening under any deal would ease it; until then the regional pinch outlasts the headlines.
SCOREBOARD
Mariners Pound The Athletics 9–2 In Sacramento
Seattle opened its series at Sutter Health Park with a nine-run night, snapping the road skid that had cost it two straight in Kansas City over the weekend.
UKRAINE
Refinery Strikes Keep Russian Crude Processing Near A 16-Year Low
Ukrainian drones have pinned Russian primary oil throughput close to 4.69 million barrels a day, the weakest in over a decade, while Russian forces gave back a net 69 square miles in the four weeks to mid-May. Fuel logistics and the front line keep moving together.
Read the full dispatch at fourfingersnews.com
You’re receiving the morning dispatch from Four Fingers News.
You’re receiving the morning dispatch from Four Fingers News.
Don't miss what's next. Subscribe to Four Fingers News: