Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has said that Tehran will only resume diplomatic negotiations with Washington if it abandons its financial sanctions campaign.
Speaking after high-level meetings in Tehran with Qatari prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Araghchi said that restoring dialogue with the Trump administration "is not an impossible mission".
In a post on X, the official said that progress "hinges on US understanding of one simple fact: pressure doesn't work” as the war passed its six month anniversary.
The past week has seen Trump launch what has been termed an “economic D-day” against Iran, where Washington rolled out Operation Economic Outcast on Monday — an aggressive wave of secondary sanctions designed to sever Tehran's access to global markets.
The diplomatic outreach comes as Qatar — a key US ally hosting major American military assets — continues mediating proposals to establish a temporary civilian navigation corridor and joint mine-clearing framework through the contested Strait of Hormuz.
Read MoreSix months on, the Iran war has changed the Middle East, but not in the way its architects had hoped
US Patriot missile stocks are ‘beyond critical’ in Europe due to Iran war, report says
Iran has caused ‘billions’ in damage to American intelligence assets, report says
What is happening in the Strait of Hormuz after Trump’s strange rant?
Key Points
- Iran preparing list of conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz
- Oil on track for weekly loss
- Six months on, the Iran war has changed the Middle East
- White House says Trump keeps ‘all options’ open for Iran
- US military says it helped 1,500 vessels cross Hormuz
- Iran denies reports it is targeting Trump's son
Watch: Iranian finance minister claims Tehran 'fully prepared for US sanctions'
15:00 , Suha KidwaiUS sanctions amounts to ‘state terrorism,’ says Tehran
14:00 , Suha KidwaiIran’s foreign ministry has condemned Trump’s campaign of economic pressure, warning the international community that following suit would amount to complicity in “state terrorism”.
In a statement on Friday, the ministry argued that the sanctions violate UN conventions, and are thereby clearly illegal under international law.
Eritrea denies owning hijacked Iran-linked oil tanker
12:30 , Suha KidwaiEritrea’s government has said that a US-sanctioned oil tanker hijacked by suspected pirates off Yemen last week has no official registration or affiliation with the country, despite flying its flag.
Speaking to Reuters, information minister Yemane Gebremeskel confirmed the tanker is not registered in Eritrea.
While ship-tracking sites list the vessel under an Eritrean flag, the UN’s International Maritime Organisation explicitly registers its status as "Eritrea False," indicating fraudulent flagging commonly used by shadow fleet ships evading sanctions.
The vessel — sanctioned by the US Treasury in December for transporting Iranian petroleum products — was seized by armed individuals in the Gulf of Aden and was last tracked Monday off the coast of northeastern Somalia.
Hormuz traffic falls below 10-day average, data shows
12:00 , Suha KidwaiCommodity vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen sharply, with just seven ships transiting the chokepoint on Thursday.
Preliminary data from shiptracker Kpler shows that the figure has dropped well below the recent 10-day average of 15 transits.
Total transit figures could shift upward as some commercial vessels turn off transponders to navigate regional security risks undetected.
US will 'crush' Iranian economy, says Bessent
11:30 , Suha KidwaiAmerica’s treasury secretary has said that his sanctions against Iran are set to inflict major damage on Tehran’s economy.
In a post on X, Scott Bessent said: “The Blockade and Operation Economic Outcast will crush the failing Iranian economy.
The Blockade and Operation Economic Outcast will crush the failing Iranian economy.
— Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) August 28, 2026
The USA has guided 130 millions barrels out over the past 14 days.
Iran: 0 https://t.co/fvSXKpXRgs
The USA has guided 130 millions barrels out over the past 14 days. Iran: 0.”
Iran’s exports cannot be verified, with dark-fleet operations and ship-to-ship transfers allowing the state to bypass sanctions.
China continues to import Iranian crude
11:00 , Suha KidwaiChinese refiners are continuing to purchase Iranian crude oil, frustrating Washington’s push to choke off Tehran’s energy revenues through strict secondary sanctions.
Beijing’s choice to reject American sanctions has been shared by Iranian state broadcaster, Press TV, where reports on Friday say that trade between both states has continued.
Chinese buyers rely on non-dollar transactions and covert ship-to-ship transfers to keep shipments moving despite US naval enforcement.
Beijing has maintained that its commercial ties with Iran remain legitimate under international law, keeping a critical financial pipeline open for Tehran.
Iran restores 40% of South Pars gas production, state media reports
10:30 , Suha KidwaiIran has revived approximately 40 per cent of its damaged gas production capacity at the South Pars natural gas field following repeated U.S. and Israeli military strikes, deputy oil minister Ahmad Zeraatkar has announced.
He said: "About 40 per cent of the damaged capacity has now returned to service, and production in this part has resumed."
The minister confirmed that debris removal across the facility has now concluded and that local engineers are ahead of schedule in efforts to stabilise domestic energy supplies ahead of winter.
However, Zeraatkar stressed that full reconstruction of the giant gas complex will take at least two years due to extensive damage, relying entirely on domestic engineering, and domestic financing packages.
UAE influenced Trump's threats to bomb Oman, Iranian media reports
10:00 , Suha KidwaiPresident Donald Trump’s threats to target Oman stemmed from direct coordination with UAE’s bin Zayed, who sought to undermine Omani influence over the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian media has reported.
According to Nournews, an state-linked outlet, bin Zayed urged Washington to push back against Muscat during a phone call earlier in the week, blaming Omani "greed" for complicating maritime negotiations with Tehran.
The report highlights growing friction between Abu Dhabi and neighbouring Gulf states over mediation roles and maritime control in the Persian Gulf.
Tehran official says Iran will send Netanyahu ‘to hell'
09:30 , Suha KidwaiIran’s secretary of the supreme national security souncil (SNSC) has said that Iran will send Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu “to hell” and prove that his “great mistakes.”
In an interview with Lebanon’s Al-Manar programme, major general Mohsen Rezaei condemned Israel’s continued strikes in Lebanon.
He called for the United States to end its intervention across West Asia, especially in Lebanon and Gaza, and emphasised that Israeli attacks on Damascus must stop. “West Asia is like a chain,” he said. “Its conditions are interconnected.”
Iranian minister says Tehran has changed ‘power equations’ in Gulf
09:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarIranian acting defence minister Majid Ibn al-Reza has said that Tehran has "changed the regional power equations" and demonstrated that the era of “hit-and-run” attacks on the country was over, Al Jazeera reported.
Ibn al-Reza reportedly said a “ridiculous media show does not change the reality on the ground and the victorious side”.
Iran says diplomacy can get back on track if US recognises pressure does not work
08:30 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarIranian foreign minister Abbas Araqchi said putting diplomacy back on track was not impossible but hinged on the US understanding that pressure does not work.
In a post on X, Araqchi said he had held what he described as "creative discussions" with Qatar’s prime minister and foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, adding that Washington should build trust, speak respectfully, acknowledge Iran’s rights and uphold its commitments.
Iran's disfigured supreme leader remains invisible six months into war
08:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarSix months after the airstrikes that began the war and propelled a badly wounded Mojtaba Khamenei into the role of Iran's supreme leader, he remains entirely unseen and unheard by Iranians.
Questions over his condition and role are growing increasingly fraught, with Iran facing critical decisions over a war that has set the Middle East aflame while trashing the country's already fragile economy.
Iranian officials and other senior sources in the country say Khamenei remains in control, ruling from the shadows for security reasons as he recovers from disfiguring wounds while delegating broad daily authority to a coterie of top figures.
But with no photograph, video or audio message released since his appointment a week into the war, Iranians are ever more sceptical about his position in an Islamic Republic in which the leader's voice is meant to be absolute.
"The question is no longer whether Mojtaba is alive, but whether Iran still has a functioning supreme leader," said Alex Vatanka of the Middle East Institute in Washington.
Six months on, the Iran war has changed the Middle East
07:29 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarIt's been six months since the US and Israel attacked Iran with the perennial goal of transforming the Middle East through military force. The region has changed, but not in the way they had hoped.
The Islamic Republic survived the assassination of its top leaders and weeks of heavy bombing, and found a potent form of leverage in the Strait of Hormuz.
Gulf Arab nations saw worrying gaps open up in the American security umbrella they have relied on for decades — and some are looking at alternatives.
More here.
Six months on, the Iran war has changed the Middle East, but not in the way its architects had hoped
Iranian official threatens US economic interests
06:40 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarIran’s Supreme National Security Council secretary Mohsen Rezaei has warned that Tehran would retaliate against US economic interests if the US continued with the blockade of Iranian ports.
“If the blockade continues, we will target US economic interests 100 percent, with intensity and force,” Rezaei told Lebanon’s Al-Manar television.
He claimed that Iran had “broken the maritime blockade” during the ceasefire and exported almost 80 million barrels of oil.
Rezaei added that Iran was preparing a list of conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz after mediators asked Tehran to set them out.
White House says Trump keeps ‘all options’ open for Iran
06:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarWhite House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has claimed that Donald Trump “continues to retain all options on the table” for the Iran war.
“We’ve had Operation Epic Fury to destroy their military. Now we have Operation Economic Outcast to destroy their economy,” she told Fox News.
“No negotiations are happening right now, and this will continue until the president feels that maybe they come to the table in a meaningful way,” she added.
US military says it helped 1,500 vessels cross Hormuz
05:20 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe US military commanders have claimed that American forces have cleared sea mines from the Strait of Hormuz that had been laid months ago by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
"Bottom line: today, international shipping lanes are open and momentum is building," said Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of the US military's Central Command.
He claimed that US forces have in recent months helped 1,500 commercial vessels carrying nearly 750 million barrels of crude oil to transit the strait.
Oil on track for weekly loss
04:40 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarOil prices fell this morning and are on track to snap a two-week winning streak, despite settling higher in the previous session following a report that president Donald Trump is not interested in returning to previous deal terms with Iran.
Brent crude futures were down 25 cents, or 0.3 per cent, to $89.45 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell 22 cents, also 0.3 per cent, to $83.31.
Both benchmarks were poised to end the week lower, with Brent down 5.3 per cent and WTI falling 4.3 per cent.
US Patriot missile stocks are ‘beyond critical’ in Europe
04:22 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe U.S. military is reportedly experiencing a “beyond critical” shortage of advanced missile interceptors in Europe, largely driven by president Donald Trump’s war with Iran.
Citing a US defence official in Europe and a Nato official, The Associated Press reported that the most concerning shortfall involves Patriot missile interceptors, raising concerns about vulnerabilities in Nato countries to a potential Russian attack.
The Naato official confirmed the low inventories of Patriots missile interceptors, which can shoot down Russia’s high-speed ballistic missiles, among American and Nato forces in Europe. Both spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military matters.
More here.
US Patriot missile stocks in Europe ‘beyond critical’ due to Iran war, report says
Iran denies reports it is targeting Trump's son
03:00 , Joe MiddletonIran's security chief Mohsen Rezaei said a report about a potential plot to assassinate US president Donald Trump's youngest son is a lie.
In an `interview broadcast by Lebanon's Al Manar TV on Thursday. The U.S. Secret Service said on Tuesday that it was aware of a video broadcast by Iranian state television discussing a potential plot to assassinate U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son Barron Trump
Analysis: What has the US gained and lost after six months?
02:00 , Joe MiddletonDr Andreas Krieg, senior lecturer at the School of Security Studies at King’s College London, told The Independent: “On the US side, Washington has inflicted substantial damage on Iranian military infrastructure, missile capabilities, command networks and the wider architecture supporting Iran’s regional power. It has also demonstrated that it can penetrate Iranian airspace and impose costs almost at will.
“But for more than $38 billion and roughly 750 casualties, the political return is much less impressive. Iran has not surrendered its core positions, the Strait has not returned to predictable commercial normality, and Washington is increasingly reliant on sanctions, naval enforcement and economic pressure because further large-scale strikes offer diminishing political returns.
He added: “The greatest American loss is strategic freedom of manoeuvre. The conflict is consuming naval assets, air defence, ISR, logistics, interceptors and political attention at precisely the moment Washington wants to concentrate resources on Asia. The US has won most of the battles, but it it cannot win the war.”
Iran facing ‘full-scale economic war,' but will win, says Tehran
01:00 , Joe MiddletonIran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said the country is in “a full-scale economic war.”
Speaking to the state’s IRNA news agency, Ghalibaf assured the public that in spite of the country’s financial spiral, Iran “will defeat the enemy in this field as well.”
Iran is facing extreme pressures on its domestic economy after the US announced a barrage of unilateral sanctions against the state on Monday.
The latest: Trump sends new warship to Middle East
Friday 28 August 2026 00:00 , James ReynoldsThe United States is preparing to send another aircraft carrier to the Middle East after Donald Trump vowed to continue the war with Iran “for as long as necessary” and without a timetable to resume peace talks.
Senior US Navy officials told CNN that the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier would be deployed for at least seven months. It is expected to relieve the George Washington, USNI reported.
US has no ongoing negotiations with Iran, says White House
Thursday 27 August 2026 23:00 , James ReynoldsThe United States and Iran are not currently in talks to end the war as Washington focuses on pressuring Tehran economically, but all options remain "on the table," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in an interview with Fox News on Thursday.
"What President Trump's number one goal has been and will always be is to ensure that Iran can never obtain a nuclear weapon. Period. And so we've had Operation Epic Fury to destroy their military. Now we have Operation Economic Outcast to destroy their economy," Leavitt told the "Fox & Friends" program.
"No negotiations are happening right now, and this will continue until the president feels that maybe they come to the table in a meaningful way. We have not seen that yet," she said. "He of course continues to retain all options on the table, and the naval blockade continues to be in effect as well."
Analysis: What has Iran gained and lost after six months?
Thursday 27 August 2026 22:00 , James ReynoldsIran stomachs big losses but endures with new ‘relevance’ in region
Dr Andreas Krieg, senior lecturer at the School of Security Studies at King’s College London, told The Independent: “Iran has suffered considerably more material damage [than the US]. Its conventional military capabilities have been degraded, its economy is under enormous pressure and its regional network is weaker than before the conflict. Syria has largely ceased to provide the strategic depth it once did. Hezbollah is under sustained pressure. Tehran is increasingly dependent on Iraq and particularly the Houthis to distribute pressure across the region.
“Iran’s major gain, however, is that it has demonstrated that its coercive power cannot be measured simply by how many missiles or commanders it loses. Hormuz has become more valuable strategically as Iran has become weaker conventionally. Tehran has shown that it can impose economic uncertainty on the Gulf and the global economy without defeating the US Navy. It can threaten shipping, energy infrastructure and maritime connectivity and force Gulf states to demand de-escalation.
“Its regional relationships have also become more complicated rather than simply collapsing. Relations with the UAE have deteriorated sharply. But Qatar, Oman and increasingly Saudi Arabia have concluded that Iran cannot simply be contained through American force. They need their own mechanisms for managing Tehran. In that sense Iran has lost influence but retained relevance, which matters enormously. A post-war region might see Iran increasing its relevance and influence if it refrains from coercion and learns how to build consensus.”
Analysis: What has the US gained and lost after six months?
Thursday 27 August 2026 21:00 , James ReynoldsUS hits Iran hard but at massive cost and without decisive victory
Dr Andreas Krieg, senior lecturer at the School of Security Studies at King’s College London, told The Independent: “On the US side, Washington has inflicted substantial damage on Iranian military infrastructure, missile capabilities, command networks and the wider architecture supporting Iran’s regional power. It has also demonstrated that it can penetrate Iranian airspace and impose costs almost at will.
“But for more than $38 billion and roughly 750 casualties, the political return is much less impressive. Iran has not surrendered its core positions, the Strait has not returned to predictable commercial normality, and Washington is increasingly reliant on sanctions, naval enforcement and economic pressure because further large-scale strikes offer diminishing political returns.
He added: “The greatest American loss is strategic freedom of manoeuvre. The conflict is consuming naval assets, air defence, ISR, logistics, interceptors and political attention at precisely the moment Washington wants to concentrate resources on Asia. The US has won most of the battles, but it it cannot win the war.”
Qatar and Iran discuss how to 'reduce escalation' over Hormuz
Thursday 27 August 2026 20:00 , Suha KidwaiIn a statement, the Qatari foreign ministry has shared the latest developments following its meeting with Tehran officials.
Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs @MBA_AlThani_ Meets Iran Foreign Minister
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) August 27, 2026
Tehran | August 27, 2026
HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani met in Tehran on Thursday with HE Minister of Foreign Affairs… pic.twitter.com/d0zt3tYARs
In a post on X, the ministry confirmed that a ‘joint project’ to clear mines in Hormuz has been discussed, alongside efforts to reduce escalation and promote dialogue.
Together, these measures are hoped to contribute to “the enhancement of regional security and stability,” Doha added.
Officials call for Iranians to trust in the government
Thursday 27 August 2026 19:00 , Suha KidwaiParliament speaker, Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf has called for Iranians to trust in the government amid severe hyperinflation driven by US sanctions.
According to reports made by state media, Ghalibaf warned the public that internal divisions stand to benefit those against Iran.
He said: “Supporting the government does not mean overlooking its weaknesses, but trusting the government to serve the people better.”
The speaker pledged that parliament would use its legislative and oversight powers to remove obstacles, reform laws and pursue public demands to ease the impacts of the conflict on Iranian citizens.
Iran facing ‘full-scale economic war,' but will win, says Tehran
Thursday 27 August 2026 18:00 , Suha KidwaiIran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said the country is in “a full-scale economic war.”
Speaking to the state’s IRNA news agency, Ghalibaf assured the public that in spite of the country’s financial spiral, Iran “will defeat the enemy in this field as well.”
Iran is facing extreme pressures on its domestic economy after the US announced a barrage of unilateral sanctions against the state on Monday.
Nuclear watchdog dismisses US claims of Iranian nuclear weapon
Thursday 27 August 2026 17:00 , Suha KidwaiThe United Nations’ nuclear watchdog chief, Rafael Grossi, has said there is no “solid evidence” to suggest that Iran is rebuilding its nuclear facilities following US and Israeli attacks.
In an interview published by Argentinian newspaper Clarin, Grossi said that talks on Tehran’s nuclear programme remain stalled because of the war.
Both the US and Israel’s leaders have previously stressed that preventing the potential development of Iran’s nuclear programme remains a political priority.
Pakistan not bound by US sanctions, Islamabad declares
Thursday 27 August 2026 16:00 , Suha KidwaiForeign ministry spokesperson, Taher Andarab has said that Washington’s sanctions on Iran do not adhere to international law, and that issues should be resolved through dialogue rather than an “economic D-day”.
Addressing reporters in Islamabad on Thursday, Andarab stressed that diplomacy is the pathway to ending the US-Iran conflict.
Following the outbreak of the war, Pakistan has acted as the primary mediator between both states.
Iranian president calls for unity among Muslim nations
Thursday 27 August 2026 15:00 , Suha KidwaiPresident Pezeshkian has made a call for unity among Muslim states in an address on Thursday.
He said: “Defending Iran does not mean hostility toward Muslim nations or neighbouring countries.
“No Islamic country should allow its territory to be used as a launchpad for aggression against another Islamic country.
“No Islamic country should seek its own security through the insecurity of its neighbours,” he added.
The comments come as months of Iranian strikes on US military bases in the Gulf have heightened tensions in the region.
No military vessels to be allowed in Hormuz, Iran says
Thursday 27 August 2026 14:00 , Suha KidwaiUnder the Iran-Oman deal agreed on Wednesday, no military vessels will be allowed to enter the Strait of Homuz, Tehran has said.
Speaking to state media, Iran’s foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi said: "If the agreement becomes binding, no military vessel will be allowed through the Strait of Hormuz ... No military vessels whatsoever."
The deal is currently subject to US approval, and uncertainty continues to dominate the future of the waterway.
Tehran slams Trump's policies as 'pure parody'
Thursday 27 August 2026 13:00 , Suha KidwaiIranian foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baqaei has ridiculed Washington’s latest economic pressure campaign, describing US policy toward Tehran as having "reached pure parody."
In a statement posted on X on Thursday, Baqaei criticised the Trump administration for boasting about allied support from Bahrain, noting that the Gulf state has "virtually no meaningful economic exchange with Iran" to demonstrate that its coalition is working.
Washington’s Iran policy has reached pure parody.
— Esmaeil Baqaei (@IRIMFA_SPOX) August 26, 2026
It turns to Bahrain - a country with virtually no meaningful economic exchange with Iran - to prove that its “coalition” is working.
It then “stops” Iranian sports and academic exchanges that had already been effectively dead…
Accusing Trump of dressing up symbolic policy moves, Baqaei added that additional US measures such as halting Iranian sports and academic exchanges targets programs that have already been defunct for years.
Pakistan says Iran talks focused on de-escalation
Thursday 27 August 2026 12:30 , Suha KidwaiPakistan's foreign ministry has said that talks held between military chief, Syed Asim Munir and Tehran focused on regional de-escalation.
A spokesperson for the ministry shared: “The discussions during the visit focused on regional de-escalation, breaking the military stalemate and exploring a negotiated settlement, restoring regional peace and stability.”
Pakistan continues to be a primary contributor to mediation efforts in the region, where the state hosted the landmark Islamabad Peace Talks in April, facilitating the first direct, high-level, in-person negotiations between Washington and Tehran since the 1979 revolution.
Greek Patriot battery intercepts drones over Saudi oil hub
Thursday 27 August 2026 12:00 , Suha KidwaiA Greek-operated Patriot air defence battery in Saudi Arabia has intercepted a drone swarm over its Yanbu region on Thursday, Greek security sources told Reuters.
The Greek system, which was deployed to safeguard major energy infrastructure, fired three interceptor missiles in coordination with Saudi forces.
While nobody has claimed responsibility for the drones, security context indicates that Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement may be the source of the swarm.
The Houthis have repeatedly targeted Yanbu —Saudi Arabia's crucial Red Sea oil export terminal — using asymmetric drone and missile strikes to disrupt bypass routes around the Strait of Hormuz.
Watch: US Treasury chief Scott Bessent issues stern warning to Iran's 'enablers'
Thursday 27 August 2026 11:32 , Rachel DobkinCIA chief pressed Russia to reduce support for Iran during Moscow trip
Thursday 27 August 2026 10:15 , Shweta SharmaCIA director John Ratcliffe used a rare, unannounced visit to Moscow on Tuesday to press Russian officials to reduce their military and economic support for Iran, Politico reported, citing a person familiar with the trip and a UK official with knowledge of the visit.
Ratcliffe also warned Russia against escalating conflict with US Nato allies, particularly Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, amid concerns over Moscow’s growing threats to alliance members supporting Ukraine.
The trip was the first known visit to Moscow by a CIA director under president Donald Trump and was not publicly acknowledged by the administration until Wednesday.
Trump described the visit as “semi-routine” and said it was aimed at helping bring the war in Ukraine to an end.
Mike Pence warns Trump he’ll have to ‘go in and finish the job’ in Iran
Thursday 27 August 2026 09:52 , John BowdenFormer US Vice President Mike Pence has firmly backed his old boss over the Iran war - but warned that Donald Trump would soon have to “go in and finish the job” to claim a defeat.
Trump faces increasing unpopularity at home tied strongly to the war, which he and his Cabinet officials predicted would be over in a matter of “weeks” but is now approaching its six-month mark.
Pence told CNN Sunday that the Iranian military and its leadership were not recognizing the reality on the ground, and implied that the deployment of further forces inside Iran would be an “inevitable” next step.
Read on...
Mike Pence warns Trump he’ll have to ‘go in and finish the job’ in Iran
Pentagon's Nato review preparing troop options for Hegseth
Thursday 27 August 2026 08:45 , Shweta SharmaThe Pentagon will draw up at least four options for the future of US troop deployments in Europe by 6 November, months before a review of the roughly 80,000 US forces stationed across the continent is due to be completed.
The review has raised concern among Nato allies that president Donald Trump could push for major troop cuts and punish European countries he believes failed to support the US-Israeli war against Iran.
A Pentagon document seen by Reuters says the options will examine different US force levels and deployments, as well as allies’ support on basing, overflight, defence spending and other areas.
The US military’s top general in Europe is due to join a key briefing with Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby by September 18, when options for Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth are expected to be shaped.
The Trump administration has repeatedly said Europe must shoulder more of Nato’s defence burden, with Hegseth accusing some allies of “free-riding”.
European officials remain sceptical of the review and fear Washington may have already decided to reduce its military footprint.
The Pentagon says the review will produce a “spectrum of options”, from maintaining current deployments to significantly reducing US forces in Europe.
Iranian president says US and Israel started war, urges neighbours to stay out of conflict
Thursday 27 August 2026 08:30 , Shweta SharmaIranian president Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran did not start the war in the region but “stood firmly against the aggressors”.
“The US and the Zionist entity launched a war on Iran,” he said.
Pezeshkian was speaking at the 40th International Islamic Unity Conference in Tehran.
He also reiterated Iran’s position that neighbouring countries should not allow their territory to be used for attacks against Iran.
“No Muslim country should pursue its security in the insecurity of its neighbours,” the president said in remarks quoted by state media.
“No Muslim country’s territory should be used against another Muslim nation,” he added.
Pezeshkian also called for stronger economic ties among the 57 members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, saying greater trade within the group could help strengthen Muslim economies.
ICYMI: Iran claims there is a $10 million bounty on Barron Trump
Thursday 27 August 2026 08:12 , Brendan RasciusIranian state media has claimed there is a $10 million bounty on Barron Trump, Donald Trump’s 20-year-old son, according to a new report nearly six months into the US war with Iran.
Footage broadcast on Channel 3, which is linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was titled “Where and how should we kill Barron Trump?” Euronews reported Monday.
It reportedly displayed the location of his university, as well as Secret Service positions and escort vehicles, while claiming his whereabouts were “fully monitored.”
Read on...
Iran claims there is a $10 million bounty on Barron Trump
Shipping traffic through Strait of Hormuz remains weak
Thursday 27 August 2026 08:06 , Shweta SharmaTraffic through key Gulf waterways remained subdued amid continued diplomatic and political tensions between Washington and Tehran, according to shipping data cited by Reuters.
Kpler data showed cargo vessel sailings through the Strait of Hormuz edged up on Wednesday from Tuesday, but remained well below the 10-day average.
Six consequences of six months of US-Israeli war on Iran
Thursday 27 August 2026 08:00 , Shweta SharmaSix months into the US-Israeli war on Iran, the conflict has become a costly stalemate, with no clear path to an end. Here are six major consequences:
1. Trump is paying a political price
Trump’s approval rating has fallen from 40 per cent to 33 per cent since the war began, and only 31 per cent of Americans now approve of the conflict. Rising fuel prices and the war are also creating headaches for Republicans ahead of the midterms.
2. Global economy is shaken, but remains resilient
Disruption to the Strait of Hormuz sent energy prices soaring and forced the IMF to cut its global growth forecast to 3% this year. But the impact has been less severe than feared, partly because economies are now less energy-intensive.
3. Iran is wounded, but not defeated
Iran has suffered major military and economic losses but retains missiles and drones and has kept the Strait of Hormuz severely disrupted. Food inflation reached 128 per cent year-on-year in July, deepening the economic crisis.
4. The Middle East is less secure
Iranian attacks have hit US military and diplomatic facilities in Gulf states and disrupted air travel. Shipping disruptions and higher insurance and transport costs have further strained regional economies.
5. Iran’s nuclear programme is delayed, but not eliminated
US and Israeli strikes damaged key Iranian nuclear facilities and killed scientists, potentially pushing back its ability to produce weapons-grade material. But the whereabouts of hundreds of kilograms of highly enriched uranium remain unclear.
6. US military readiness is under strain
The US has lost aircraft and used large quantities of precision munitions and missile interceptors. Assets have been shifted from Europe and the Indo-Pacific to the Middle East, raising concerns about America’s ability to respond elsewhere.
Inside the Israeli military policy to ‘justify’ lethal actions in deadly attacks on civilians in Gaza
Thursday 27 August 2026 07:30 , Shweta SharmaThe Israeli military uses a de facto policy of “retrospective incrimination" for high-profile attacks that kill a large number of civilians without a clear military objective in Gaza, including deliberately counting Palestinians as “terrorists” even when unarmed, a soldier has revealed.
The whistleblower, who Israeli advocacy group Breaking the Silence put in contact with The Independent , said it is "policy" to reframe attacks with high death tolls or those on sensitive protected buildings like hospitals and schools. The same soldier said this action was deployed after Israel's 25 August 2025 double-tap attack on Nasser medical complex in south Gaza, which killed 22 people, including five journalists, among them Independent Arabia reporter Mariam Abu Dagga.
Inside Israeli policy to ‘justify’ lethal actions in deadly attacks on Gaza civilians
Watch: Hegseth refuses to rule out US strikes against Iran
Thursday 27 August 2026 06:47 , Rachel DobkinIran says no final deal reached with Oman over Strait of Hormuz - report
Thursday 27 August 2026 06:30 , Shweta SharmaIran and Oman are still negotiating the details of an agreement over the Strait of Hormuz, a senior Iranian source said on Wednesday, contradicting an earlier claim by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards that the two countries had agreed on how to divide control of the strategic waterway and its revenues.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Iran and Oman had reached an understanding on their respective shares of the strait’s waters and revenues. But the senior Iranian source said no final agreement had been reached, adding that talks were continuing.
The IRGC also said the strait would remain closed unless the United States met Tehran’s conditions under an interim ceasefire agreement reached in June before it unravelled. Iran has demanded an end to the US blockade of its ports, compensation and the removal of sanctions.
Iran and Oman have held talks for weeks over managing traffic through the strait, a crucial global energy chokepoint that handled about one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments before the war began in February.
Most shipping through the waterway has since been disrupted, pushing global energy prices higher as Iran and the US seek to exert control over the channel through separate blockades.
The conflicting statements leave the status of any Iran-Oman agreement unclear, with negotiations apparently continuing over the details of a possible accord.
Trump says 'no time schedule' for return to US-Iran negotiations
Thursday 27 August 2026 05:50 , Shweta SharmaUS president Donald Trump has said he has “no time schedule” for when the US-Iran talks will take place to end the conflict.
“I have no time schedule, none. I’m not in a hurry. I have no time schedule at all,” Trump told Al Jazeera on Wednesday.
“We are winning very big,” Trump said. “They’ve got massive inflation, their economy is falling apart, they’re treating their people very badly, they are killing many, many protesters. I have no time schedule; whatever it takes.”
Trump said the economic measures and military strikes together were “effective” in the conflict when asked what has worked better.
Sailor who jumped from USS Lincoln to face disciplinary action
Thursday 27 August 2026 05:40 , Shweta SharmaA sailor who jumped from the aircraft carrier USS Lincoln this month in what his wife described as a suicide attempt is facing disciplinary action from the US Navy.
According to documents reviewed by MS NOW, formerly MSNBC, the sailor has been accused of malingering and being absent without leave, offences that could result in the loss of half his pay.
“I think they’re insane for doing this to people who need mental help,” his wife told the US media outlet.
Asked why it was pursuing disciplinary action against a sailor following a suicide attempt, a US Navy official told MS NOW that the service was committed to the wellbeing of every sailor and that seeking help was a sign of strength.
The Lincoln’s deployment was extended repeatedly during the war on Iran, prompting concerns over the strain on its crew from prolonged periods at sea and deteriorating conditions aboard the carrier. A group of Democratic senators has called for hearings into the deployment.
The USS George Washington aircraft carrier arrived in the Middle East earlier this month to relieve the Lincoln.
Aramco offers more oil outside Hormuz with some cargoes heading to China
Thursday 27 August 2026 05:31 , Shweta SharmaSaudi Aramco has offered more oil for loading outside the Strait of Hormuz in September, four sources with knowledge of the matter said on Wednesday, after the producer sold at least 4 million barrels to China this month.
Shipping data indicates that Aramco has resorted to shuttling cargoes aboard tankers with their trackers switched off to evade attacks during transit through the strait, which was used by a fifth of the world's oil and gas before the US-Iran war broke out on February 28.
Aramco has started a sales process for Arab Medium and Arab Heavy crude with Asian buyers for a second consecutive week, with cargoes offered via ship-to-ship (STS) transfers off Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates or Sohar in Oman, both outside the strait, the sources said. Bids are due by Wednesday, one of the sources said.
The offers come after two supertankers carrying 4 million barrels of Saudi crude were bound for China after loading the cargoes via STS transfers off Sohar, shipping data from Vortexa and Kpler showed.
Very large crude carrier Singapore Prosperity transferred its Saudi crude cargo around August 22 to the VLCC Xin Hui Yang, which is expected to arrive at eastern Chinese Ningbo port on September 15, the data showed.
