Balance of Power Iran and US Hold Indirect Talks, DHS Funding Debate Continues
Feb 6, 2026
Megan Scully, leader of Bloomberg's Capitol Influence team who parses congressional strategy. Tyler Kendall, Bloomberg Washington correspondent who covers the White House and national security. They discuss U.S.-Iran indirect talks in Oman and shifting military postures. They also tackle the high-stakes DHS funding standoff, negotiation leverage, and possible compromise options.
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Narrow Oman Talks Calm Markets Temporarily
- Iran and the U.S. agreed to continue talks in Oman but framed them narrowly around Iran's nuclear program.
- The meeting reduced immediate market fears but left broader regional and missile issues unresolved.
White House Eyes Antitrust On Homebuilders
- The White House is exploring an antitrust probe of homebuilders to tackle housing affordability.
- The move signals renewed administration pressure on builders ahead of midterms and follows prior executive actions on institutional buyers.
Hudson Tunnel Funding Blocked
- Trump refused to release previously allocated Hudson Tunnel funds, halting a $16 billion project.
- The funding denial ties to political negotiations over naming and Senate opposition from New York lawmakers.