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Iranian and Omani foreign ministers have discussed practical steps for a temporary maritime corridor through the Strait of Hormuz amid sharply reduced shipping. Iranian officials stressed the talks are separate from any reopening decision, which they tied to U.S. conditions, while President Trump said he would designate the waterway U.S. territory.
President Donald Trump has vowed an intensified economic campaign against Iran, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent signaling unprecedented measures as soon as next week. Options include secondary sanctions on Chinese refiners and banks, while Iran’s key oil trade with China and ties to neighboring countries complicate enforcement. Officials and analysts outline the scale of existing sanctions and the constraints on further pressure.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly declared the Strait of Hormuz an 'American territory' amid a naval blockade and escalating tensions with Iran. While Trump asserts total control, international law experts and Iranian officials dismiss the claim as legally and practically impossible, as the waterway remains a critical global chokepoint.
Iran executed two men on Sunday in connection with January anti-government protests, with authorities accusing them of acting as agents of Israel and the US. The executions come amid a surge in the number of executions since the start of the Middle East war in February.
Washington has announced an unprecedented push to isolate Iran's economy, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pledging to sever every economic lifeline of the 'tyrannical regime.' Iran has vowed to shut down Gulf oil exports if the pressure continues, as diplomatic efforts and a crisis in the Strait of Hormuz deepen.
The Pentagon has circulated a questionnaire to NATO allies asking whether they have publicly supported US foreign policy priorities, as part of a review that could reduce American forces in Europe. The document, obtained by Al Jazeera, also inquires about restrictions on US base access and alignment with the 'NATO 3.0' concept, prompting concerns among allies and former officials about politicizing military posture.
The USS George Washington has arrived in the Middle East to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln from its record deployment, as reports of poor conditions aboard the Lincoln spark a heated dispute between officials, families, and lawmakers. While CENTCOM and Navy leaders defend the crew's resilience, families and senators demand answers over food shortages, mental health concerns, and the toll of more than 250 days at sea.
The USS Abraham Lincoln is returning to San Diego after a nine-month deployment marked by reports of mental health crises and deteriorating conditions. Democratic senators have requested an independent review, while officials dispute the severity of the situation.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Saturday that Tehran received 'numerous messages' from neighboring countries seeking new regional security arrangements, though he did not name any nations. The remarks come as Washington prepares to announce what Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has called the 'toughest sanctions in history' against Iran.
President Trump asserts the US has 'total control' of the Strait of Hormuz, pledging to keep it, while Iran is described as 'shot' with 'no money.' Yet independent tracking data and official counts suggest traffic remains far below pre-war levels, and analysts dispute the administration's figures.
Organizers of Doha's Teeb Al Hazm festival, which showcases Gulf perfume culture twice a year, plan to hold their first European edition in London. Al Hazm Mall CEO Mohamed Al-Emady cited the growing international reputation of Gulf fragrances as a driver for expansion, noting that the festival has already reached Abu Dhabi and will next go to Riyadh.
Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian says communication with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is 'very difficult,' sparking speculation about the leader's whereabouts and influence. Reports indicate Khamenei has not appeared in public since March, though Pezeshkian describes a recent seven-to-eight-hour meeting and defends the leader against critics.
Military expert Vitaly Kiselyov told TASS that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky practiced nepotism, appointing friends and relatives to key positions to enrich himself. Kiselyov also alleged that Western handlers turn a blind eye to corruption because they use Ukraine to launder money through weapons sales.
According to OPEC data cited by TASS, Russia was the largest oil supplier to India in June, with exports rising to 2.2 million barrels per day. India's total oil imports fell in June, while China's imports also declined, with Russia retaining its top position in both markets.
The Pakistani government has adjusted fuel prices effective August 13, cutting petrol by Rs0.94 per litre and increasing high-speed diesel by Rs0.54 per litre. The move follows a series of daily revisions amid volatile international markets and ongoing US-Iran tensions.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains far below pre-war levels, with only a handful of vessels transiting daily, even as President Trump asserts the US has 'total control' over the waterway. Iran conditions any full reopening on the lifting of the blockade and sanctions, while diplomatic efforts to end the conflict remain stalled amid conflicting claims about the strait's status.
Pakistan's Foreign Office announced it will implement the Saudi-led multinational maritime defence coalition 'in full earnest', following the deaths of three Pakistani sailors in Houthi strikes on a Saudi cargo ship. The FO also highlighted Oman's lead in negotiations with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz and Pakistan's focus on broader political settlement.
The Panama Canal Authority will reduce daily ship transits from 36 to 32 by mid-September due to drought linked to El Niño. Meanwhile, shipping costs have surged, with one vessel reportedly paying $4 million to skip the queue, as the Iran war diverts traffic away from other key routes.
Ukraine is struggling to defend against Russian ballistic missile attacks due to a critical shortage of Patriot interceptor missiles, a problem exacerbated by global stockpile depletion and European refusals to supply more. The situation has prompted urgent appeals from Ukrainian officials and raised questions about alternative defense systems.
The South Korean won edged higher against the U.S. dollar in recent trading sessions, supported by exporter dollar sales and falling oil prices, while traders remained cautious over U.S. inflation data and Middle East tensions. Foreign investors showed mixed activity in local stocks, with the KOSPI experiencing sharp fluctuations.