Iran rules out Hormuz reopening until US fulfils commitments

प्रकाशित: 30-08-2026 | 06:24 PM

US-Iran war Iran rules out Hormuz reopening until US fulfils commitments US, Israel launched strikes on Iran on Feb 28, with Trump declaring “major combat operations” Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei martyred in the strikes, and his son Mojtaba succeeded him in March A 2-week ceasefire agreed on April 8, followed by US-Iran face-to-face talks in Pakistan later that month A preliminary agreement reached in June, but renewed fighting and disputes over Strait of Hormuz continued through July The war has now entered its 6th month, with Hormuz remaining at the centre of the crisis Updated On:Sun, 30 Aug 2026 19:47:55 PKT Minister says Israel ready to attack if Iran 'revives' nuclear or missile plans Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen has said Israel will strike Iran again if it tries to rebuild its nuclear or ballistic missile programmes, even if Tehran reaches an agreement with Washington, Al Jazeera reports. “If Iran makes the mistake and tries to renew its nuclear programme or ballistic missile programme, even if there is an agreement with the United States, we will be there to attack,” Cohen said when asked about the war on Iran in an interview with the Israeli news site Ynet. Energy Minister Eli Cohen claims Israel will strike Iran again if it tries to rebuild its nuclear or ballistic missile programmes, even if Tehran reaches an agreement with Washington. LIVE updates ?? — Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) August 30, 2026 Updated On:Sun, 30 Aug 2026 17:51:30 PKT Enemy 'seriously miscalculated' our resolve, says Iran's naval commander Shahram Irani, the commander of the Iranian Navy, says the enemy has “seriously miscalculated” the resolve of the Iranian people and the armed forces, Iran’s Press TV reports. “If the enemy believes that the martyrdom of some Iranian citizens and Navy personnel will bring the force to a halt, it is gravely mistaken,” he said. “The Navy will draw strength from the blood of its martyrs and continue on its path with even greater resolve and determination.” If the enemy believes that the martyrdom of some Iranian citizens and Navy personnel will bring the force to a halt, it is gravely mistaken. The Navy will draw strength from the blood of its martyrs and continue on its path with even greater resolve and determination.— Press TV (@PressTV) August 30, 2026 Updated On:Sun, 30 Aug 2026 17:04:47 PKT Iran's President Pezeshkian to attend SCO summit in Kyrgyzstan The Iranian, Chinese and Russian presidents are expected in Central Asia’s Kyrgyzstan on Monday for a two-day summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Al Jazeera reports. About a dozen heads of state will be in Bishkek to mark 25 years of the organisation. President Masoud Pezeshkian is expected to hold talks with other leaders during the summit to discuss regional issues and bilateral ties, the report added. Updated On:Sun, 30 Aug 2026 17:03:55 PKT 'Massive' explosion in southern Lebanon after Israeli bombing The Israeli army has carried out a “massive explosion” in the southern Lebanese town of Houla, in the Marjeyoun district, this morning, Al Jazeera reports, citing Lebanon’s National News Agency. Updated On:Sun, 30 Aug 2026 13:25:09 PKT Iran says Hormuz transit understanding with Oman contingent on US fulfilling commitments Iran has reached an understanding with Oman on transit arrangements through the Strait of Hormuz, but its implementation is contingent on the US fulfilling its commitments, a senior Iranian diplomat has said, Anadolu Agency reports. “This understanding will not automatically enter the implementation stage,” Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi said, according to Tasnim news agency. “Implementing this understanding requires the other side, particularly the US, to fulfil its commitments. Whenever these commitments are implemented, Iran will also take its measures,” he said. Gharibabadi said Iran was in no hurry to reopen the strait and would continue its “defensive measures” and efforts to “counter threats.” “These measures are not new, and if Washington is interested in returning to the path of diplomacy, it must accept responsibility for its past actions,” he added. He said the necessary arrangements regarding the strait had been made with the Omani government, but responsibility for meeting the requirements rested with the other side. “Whenever these commitments are fulfilled, Iran will take the necessary action. The Strait of Hormuz remains closed, and if any vessel passes through this route, it will be with the coordination and authorisation of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said. Gharibabadi added that Iran’s armed forces maintain “full oversight” of movements in the strait, rejecting claims that vessels were passing through without coordination with Tehran. He said Iran’s meetings and contacts with Qatar and Pakistan were held in light of the two countries’ roles as mediators in the talks. “Qatar and Pakistan sought to examine whether it was possible to resume implementation of the commitments under the Islamabad understanding,” he said. Updated On:Sun, 30 Aug 2026 13:24:41 PKT Minab school massacre leaves eternal wound on Iran: Araghchi Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has described the Minab school massacre as an eternal wound on Iran, urging people and contemporary art enthusiasts to visit an exhibition featuring paintings inspired by the incident, according to state-run IRNA news agency. In an Instagram post last night, Araghchi said he had visited the exhibition the previous day, describing it as a place where art “weeps and makes others weep”. “Behind these colors and images stands the bitter memory of a crime committed by enemies of Iran against innocent children of this land,” he said, stressing that the tragedy would neither disappear with time nor be erased from the grieving nation’s memory. Updated On:Sun, 30 Aug 2026 12:20:18 PKT Iran supreme leader calls for unity among Muslim countries Iran’s supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei calls on Muslim countries in the region to unite against the United States and Israel in a written message issued six months on from the start of the Middle East war, AFP reports. “The solution to the problems of the Islamic nations is unity of words, friendship, and cooperation on the path of goodness,” he said, according to his official website. The statement also says the “enemy” seeks to create divisions within Muslims globally, according to Al Jazeera, and urges against any action that could divide Muslims. Referring to the US and Israel, it adds: “They strive to turn various racial, cultural, social, economic, political, and geographical differences into pretexts for creating discord among Muslim people in Iran and in any other Islamic country”. Updated On:Sun, 30 Aug 2026 11:19:08 PKT Iranian supreme leader asks countries in Middle East to 'recognise your true enemy' Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has urged countries in the Middle East to “recognise your true enemy”, understand its plans and confront it. He said this in a written message in connection with the birth anniversary of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Updated On:Sun, 30 Aug 2026 10:58:43 PKT Iraq seeks to 'be a bridge' between Iran and US, says Iraqi prime minister's security advisor Iraq has a “good relationship” with Iran and the United States, and it seeks to “be a bridge” for communication to reach an agreement that guarantees the right of the entire region, the Iraqi prime minister’s security adviser Qassim al-Araji has said in a recent interview with Al Jazeera. He added that Iran emphasised the necessity of removing extremist groups from Iraq. Updated On:Sun, 30 Aug 2026 10:09:11 PKT Democratic senator slams Trump, oil giants for Iran war profits Democratic US Senator Elizabeth Warren has called Trump “the most corrupt president ever in American history”, underlining that oil majors aligned with him have benefitted from the war on Iran, Al Jazeera reports. “So the question becomes: What do we do about that? When Donald Trump starts a war with Iran and his oil buddies, who gave him a million dollars for his campaign. When they start making profits like crazy, then our job is to call it out and fight back. That’s what we do,” she said in an election rally for a junior senator from Massachusetts. “You want to lower the price of gasoline? End the war in Iran. Just end it,” Warren said. Updated On:Sun, 30 Aug 2026 08:43:06 PKT Pezeshkian admits US sanctions are hurting Iran's economy Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has acknowledged that US sanctions are hurting the country's economy, days after saying the latest American measures would have little impact. “Some say sanctions have no effect at all; to those people, I really don't know what to say,” Pezeshkian told state television in an interview late Friday. “We are in a war situation, and we must accept these wartime conditions,” he added. Pezeshkian said Iran's exports and imports had fallen by 25% to 35% in recent months as the United States maintains a naval blockade of Iranian ports. His comments came days after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced plans for what he called the “economic asphyxiation” of Iran, warning of consequences for countries that do not join Washington's campaign. The latest measures build on a US sanctions regime imposed after then-President Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 international nuclear agreement with Iran in 2018. Pezeshkian also said Iran should raise petrol prices to reflect the decline in trade. “We should raise the price of the third-tier quota... For example, from 5,000 tomans to 10,000 tomans,” he said. Updated On:Sun, 30 Aug 2026 08:12:07 PKT Israel will attack Iran again even if US strikes deal, energy minister says Israel will strike Iran again if it tries to rebuild its nuclear or ballistic missile programmes, even if Tehran reaches an agreement with Washington, Israel’s energy minister says according to Al Jazeera. Eli Cohen was asked about the war on Iran in an interview with the Israeli news site Ynet on Saturday. “If Iran makes the mistake and tries to renew its nuclear programme or ballistic missile programme, even if there is an agreement with the United States, we will be there to attack,” he said. Cohen said Iran would have obtained nuclear weapons had Israel not attacked, and that Israeli intelligence assessed that the joint US-Israeli strikes had set the programme back by between two and four years. “We have already proven our capabilities,” he said. Updated On:Sun, 30 Aug 2026 07:34:51 PKT Hormuz crisis adds $330billion to global fossil fuel import costs: study Fossil fuel importers paid an estimated $330 billion more for seaborne oil, fuel and LNG between March and August than pre-war futures markets had projected, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. Crude accounted for $164.1 billion of the gross additional cost, followed by diesel and gasoil at $73.8 billion and LNG at $38 billion. The EU faced the largest gross increase at $78 billion, followed by China at $35 billion and India at $22 billion. CREA described the US-Iran war as causing the largest sustained oil price shock since the 1990 Persian Gulf War. Updated On:Sun, 30 Aug 2026 04:46:16 PKT US-Israel-Iran war adds $330 billion to global oil and gas import costs The ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran has pushed up the global cost of importing oil and gas by an estimated $330 billion over the six months from March through August, according to an analysis by Finland-based climate think tank Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). The additional cost comes despite oil and gas prices rising less sharply than many analysts had initially feared. However, with the conflict still unresolved, energy importers could face an even larger bill if disruptions in the region continue. According to CREA's analysis, the figure represents the difference between the actual amounts paid for imported crude oil, fuels and liquefied natural gas (LNG) and the costs analysts had expected based on their earlier price forecasts. The think tank described the disruption to energy supplies in the Persian Gulf as the most significant since the 1990 Gulf War, with the European Union emerging as the region facing the greatest financial impact. Crude oil accounted for the largest portion of the additional import costs, contributing approximately $164.1 billion to the overall increase. Diesel and gasoil imports followed, adding around $73.8 billion, while gasoline accounted for another $35.7 billion in additional costs. LNG imports were estimated to have cost buyers approximately $38 billion more than they otherwise would have, while jet fuel added a further $20 billion to the global import bill. The figures highlight the financial impact of geopolitical instability on global energy markets. Even without a dramatic surge in oil and gas prices, prolonged disruptions can significantly increase costs for countries that rely heavily on imported energy. With the conflict continuing, energy markets remain vulnerable to further supply disruptions and price volatility, potentially adding billions more to the global import bill in the months ahead. Updated On:Sun, 30 Aug 2026 04:14:28 PKT Pezeshkian says implementing Islamabad MoU could help Iran overcome problems Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Saturday that implementing the Islamabad MoU with domestic unity could help Iran overcome its problems, the semi-official ISNA news agency reported. “The government believes that if, based on internal unity, we implement the memorandum approved by all those who care about the country’s dignity and progress, we can overcome the problems,” Pezeshkian said. He said implementing the MoU would prevent the United States and Israel from destabilizing the region and allow regional countries to pursue stability and development through unity and cooperation. Pezeshkian also called for a single political message from Tehran, saying coordination among the heads of the three branches of government and the Supreme National Security Council had improved and that Iran should not allow “multiple voices” to emerge. Updated On:Sun, 30 Aug 2026 04:06:47 PKT Iran rejects US claim that southern Hormuz route functioning Iran’s state TV, quoting an informed security source in Tehran, challenged US claims that the southern route of the Strait of Hormuz is functioning normally, asking why Washington is pressing Iran for an agreement if oil traffic through the waterway is flowing as claimed. The source told state-run Press TV on Saturday that US assertions about the volume of oil transiting the southern route were “contrary to realities on the ground” and part of what the source described as a broader psychological campaign aimed at influencing global energy prices. According to the source, Washington is seeking to portray the southern route through Hormuz as operating smoothly while presenting the northern route designated by Iran as ineffective. The source said Iran’s efforts to keep the strait closed were continuing, pointing to attacks on vessels accused of violating Iranian regulations and to tankers changing course after receiving warnings. Updated On:Sun, 30 Aug 2026 03:19:28 PKT Security service confirms Iran threat prompted Yair Netanyahu US evacuation Israel’s Shin Bet security service confirmed Saturday that a significant Iranian threat against Yair Netanyahu, son of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, prompted his urgent evacuation from Florida to Israel, the Jerusalem Post reported. “There was indeed a significant threat to harm Yair Netanyahu, and in light of this, following a situation assessment, a decision was made to extract him together with his security team urgently back to Israel,” the Shin Bet said. Updated On:Sun, 30 Aug 2026 02:40:23 PKT Iraq seeks to 'be a bridge' between Iran and US Iraq wants to serve as a bridge between Iran and the United States to help the two sides reach an agreement that protects the interests of the wider region, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s security adviser Qassim al-Araji said. “We have a good relationship with Iran and the United States, and we seek to be a bridge” for communication between the two sides, al-Araji said in a recent interview with Al Jazeera. He also said Iran had stressed the need to remove extremist groups from Iraq. Updated On:Sun, 30 Aug 2026 01:09:59 PKT Iran says Hormuz remains closed pending US compliance with Islamabad MoU Iran and Oman have reached an understanding over the Strait of Hormuz, but it will not be implemented until the United States fulfills its commitments under the Islamabad MoU, Iran’s deputy foreign minister said, according to Iranian media. “The Strait of Hormuz remains closed, and any vessel passing through the strait does so in coordination with Iran,” Kazem Gharibabadi said on Saturday. “We will continue our own defensive measures and are prepared for any scenario,” he added. On recent visits to Iran by Qatari and Pakistani officials, Gharibabadi said their efforts were aimed at determining whether there was a possibility of returning to implementation of the commitments under the Islamabad MoU. Updated On:Sat, 29 Aug 2026 20:46:34 PKT Iran transfers $7.5bn in oil revenues to central bank despite US naval blockade Iran transferred $7.5 billion in oil revenues from sales during the first four months of the current Iranian year to the central bank, Anadolu reports citing the semi-official Fars news agency. Tehran’s oil ministry says the funds will be sufficient to cover the government’s foreign-currency expenditures from July through December, and that Iran has enough oil available for sale outside the US naval blockade to meet the revenue requirements set under its state budget for March 21, 2026-March 20, 2027. Oil revenues on March 21-July 22, the first four months of the Iranian year, have reached 99 per cent of the amount projected in the budget for the period, according to Fars. Iran transfers $7.5B in oil revenues to its central bank despite US naval blockade, according to Fars News Agency Oil revenues on March 21-July 22, first 4 months of the Iranian year, reach 99% of the amount projected in the state budget for the period pic.twitter.com/jhPRGFRlUh — Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) August 29, 2026 Updated On:Sat, 29 Aug 2026 19:51:49 PKT Iran claims arrested terrorists 'affiliated with' US and Israel Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claims it launched an operation against a “terrorist team affiliated with Israel and [the United States of] America” in the country’s Saravan area, according to news agency ISNA. “One person was killed, six were arrested, and 20 packages of explosives, a large number of weapons, ammunition and Starlink equipment were seized,” ISNA adds, citing the IRGC’s Quds Garrison. ??????? ??? ????? ????? ????: ?? ??? ???????? ?????? ?? ??????? ? ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ??? ???????? ?????? ??????? ? ?? ??????? ????? ????? ??? ?? ??? ?? ????? ????? ? ??? ?????? ???? ? ?? ???? ???? ?????? ? ????? ????? ????? ????? ? ??????? ????????? ??? ?? — ???????? ????? (@isna_farsi) August 29, 2026 Updated On:Sat, 29 Aug 2026 18:35:36 PKT US trying to 'game energy markets', alleges Iran's Araghchi Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused the US of engaging in “major efforts to game energy markets”, citing his country’s intelligence. “US government elements use gullible media to influence prices for personal gain and keep POTUS (US President Donald Trump) mired in a losing war. Israel-aligned actors also promote war with rosy assessments,” he writes on X. “US consumers feel the real bottom line.” Our intelligence shows major efforts to game energy markets. U.S. Govt elements use gullible media to influence prices for personal gain and keep POTUS mired in a losing war. Israel-aligned actors also promote war with rosy assessments. U.S. consumers feel the real bottom line. — Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) August 29, 2026 Updated On:Sat, 29 Aug 2026 18:12:30 PKT Ayatollah Khamenei's message is 'clear, beyond interpretation': Iran security chief Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Major General Mohsen Rezaei says the message of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Sayyid Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei on Government Week, is clear and beyond interpretation, serving as a guiding principle for all Iranian officials, IRNA reports. Iran’s security chief: Leader’s message is clear, beyond interpretation pic.twitter.com/DpxigTme3A — IRNA News Agency (@IrnaEnglish) August 29, 2026 Updated On:Sat, 29 Aug 2026 17:31:09 PKT Banque Misr says it is reviewing US Iran sanctions notice Egypt's Banque Misr said it is reviewing a US Treasury notice related to restricting US dollar correspondent banking services provided by US financial institutions to Banque Misr's branch in the United Arab Emirates, according to a statement on Saturday. It said Banque Misr's branch in the UAE continues to provide banking services to its customers in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures, Reuters reported. The US Treasury said on Friday it had moved to cut off Banque Misr's branches in the United Arab Emirates from dollar transactions for its dealings with Iran. Updated On:Sat, 29 Aug 2026 17:29:25 PKT Iranian president urges Trump to avoid creating turmoil, says dialogue can resolve problems Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has urged his American counterpart, Donald Trump, to avoid creating turmoil, saying problems can be resolved through dialogue and implementation of the memorandum of understanding, Anadolu reports. “If we proceed through dialogue and on the basis of the memorandum of understanding, we will resolve the problems and secure our rights,” Pezeshkian says at a ceremony in Tehran, as cited by the Mehr News Agency. “It is in the interest of the country, the region and the world that Trump does not create turmoil and that Israel does not cause insecurity and aggression,” he adds. Pezeshkian said Iran does not favour war but would respond firmly to any assaults. “We do not like war, but we will stand with strength against aggression and defend ourselves,” he says, adding that no power could force a united nation determined to defend its territory to surrender. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian urges US President Donald Trump to avoid creating turmoil, saying problems can be resolved through dialogue Pezeshkian says Iran will 'never surrender' to threats and aggression but is seeking to resolve problems through dialogue… pic.twitter.com/TvbxPqu7zp — Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) August 29, 2026 Updated On:Sat, 29 Aug 2026 14:35:54 PKT Blocking enemy's war goals meant victory for Iran, says Iranian army chief Iran's Army Commander Major General Amir Hatami said the country is victorious in the US war as the enemy failed to achieve its goals. Speaking at a ceremony honoring 3,785 martyred Army servicemen, he said in military terms, an attacking side is considered victorious only if it achieves its objectives. In a defensive war, however, preventing the enemy from achieving its objectives constitutes victory for the defender, Press TV reported. He recalled that despite the enemies' attempts to destroy Iran’s missile and drone capabilities, its armed forces continued striking enemy targets until the very end. Updated On:Sat, 29 Aug 2026 12:52:03 PKT Around 400 ships remain stranded in Strait of Hormuz and Gulf: UN Maritime Agency Around 400 vessels remain stranded in and around the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf region, according to the United Nations maritime agency. Media reports, citing the agency, said the vessels have approximately 6,000 sailors on board. Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, said the situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains unresolved. Dominguez called on UN member states and the shipping industry to make further political efforts to restore freedom of navigation in the strategic waterway. Updated On:Sat, 29 Aug 2026 12:24:18 PKT Araghchi says Iran would not compromise on national security Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said no compromise would be made on the country’s security, stressing that Iranian forces will fight fire with fire, Press TV reported. Speaking at a consultative meeting with participants of the 40th International Islamic Unity Conference, Araghchi referred to the country’s situation following the 12-day war and the developments during the recent US-Israeli aggression. “Our enemies believed that their defeat in the previous war had failed to undermine the unity of the Iranian people. Therefore, they began plotting to create divisions within the country, sent armed groups, and sought to undermine the legitimacy of the Islamic Republic by creating insecurity and staging casualties,” he explained. Updated On:Sat, 29 Aug 2026 11:25:10 PKT Israeli forces launch attacks in outskirts of southern Lebanon village Israeli military carried out explosions on outskirts of southern Lebanese village, Al Jazeera reports. Updated On:Sat, 29 Aug 2026 10:32:30 PKT Iran says diplomacy and defence inseparable, vows to resist US sanctions The Iranian government has expressed resolve to stand firm against US sanctions and what it called US-Israeli “conspiracies,” saying diplomacy and defence were “complementary, coordinated and inseparable” tools for protecting the country’s national interests, security and territorial integrity, Reuters reported. In a statement carried by state media, the government said it would pursue both tracks simultaneously and focus on curbing inflation, creating jobs, supporting domestic production and gradually reducing dependence on the dollar. Updated On:Sat, 29 Aug 2026 08:22:03 PKT Iran's navy says it has 'full control' over Strait of Hormuz Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps ?Navy rejected U.S. ‌claims that the Strait of ?Hormuz was ?open, calling them ?an attempt ?to control oil ?prices and conceal what it described ?as U.S. ?failures, Reuters reported. It said the ‌restrictions ?would continue until U.S. military actions against ?Iran ?end ?and relevant commitments are ?implemented, according ?to ?a statement. Updated On:Sat, 29 Aug 2026 07:38:38 PKT War weighs on Iran's economy as US intensifies sanctions DUBAI/CAIRO (Reuters) - Iranian leaders are acknowledging the economic toll of war with the United ?States, with the supreme leader calling on the government to address the hardship while the president reported foreign trade has shrunk ‌35% due to the American sanctions and blockade. The warnings came even as other leaders threaten the U.S. with military retaliation and declarations that the Iranian navy maintains control of the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway giving Iran leverage through its ability to disrupt global energy markets. With the war now at the six-month mark, and negotiations at an impasse, President Donald ?Trump's administration has stepped up efforts to punish Iran financially with what it has billed as an "economic D-Day." Washington has warned countries to cut their ?business ties with Iran or face secondary sanctions, though the Treasury Department stopped short of imposing penalties against major ?Iranian trade partners such as China and India, which could have repercussions for the U.S. and global economies. The U.S. Treasury Department did impose sanctions on Egypt's Banque ?Misr for doing business with Tehran, proposing a rule that would cut off the bank's branches in the United Arab Emirates from dollar transactions. Egypt's central bank ?said it and the foreign ministry were in contact with U.S. officials concerning the matter, adding the measure was limited to Banque Misr UAE’s U.S. dollar transactions with correspondent banks only. U.S. Treasury officials separately issued sanctions targeting one entity based in Hong Kong and one person linked to Iran's Bank Melli, according to a notice posted on the department's website. The ?sanctions drive compounds the toll of the war on Iran's economy, where annual inflation hit 66% last month. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who was injured and has ?not been seen publicly since the February 28 attack that killed his father, former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, called on the government to tackle the economic hardship. "There is the need ‌to seriously ?address the chain of economic and livelihood challenges, such as inflation, unemployment, management of prices and the market for goods and services," said a written statement attributed to Khamenei. Updated On:Sat, 29 Aug 2026 05:19:12 PKT Iran is the real winner of Islamabad agreement: President Pezeshkian Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that domestic and international experts unanimously view Iran as the true winner of the Islamabad Understanding, describing the agreement reached within the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) as a major and exceptional achievement. In a televised interview broadcast Friday night, President Pezeshkian addressed a wide range of domestic and foreign policy matters. He began his remarks by honoring the memory of the late Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei, alongside all “martyrs” of the Revolution. He highlighted that Iran’s current standing is owed to national unity and cohesion, adding that without such unity, opponents of the country would have achieved their objectives. He urged the nation to cherish and preserve internal solidarity. Updated On:Fri, 28 Aug 2026 22:34:56 PKT No talks with Iran ongoing or scheduled, says White House official In a statement to Al Jazeera, US deputy press secretary Anna Kelly says Washington is not engaged with any discussions with Iran. “There are no talks or conversations going on, or scheduled, with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” says Kelly, reiterating US claims that the Strait of Hormuz is open and fully de-mined. She adds that Washington’s naval blockade against Iran “remains in full force and effect” and that the US’s economic campaign against Iran — termed “Operation Economic Outcast” — “is underway to sever every remaining economic lifeline sustaining the regime”. Updated On:Fri, 28 Aug 2026 22:34:21 PKT Iranians will never 'forget' or 'forgive' Minab school attack: FM Araghchi Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said the Minab school students have become a “heroic symbol” for Iran and that the Iranian people will never “forget” or “forgive” the attack, according to Al Jazeera. Updated On:Fri, 28 Aug 2026 22:33:21 PKT US issues fresh Iran-related sanctions The United States issued more Iran-related sanctions targeting one entity and one individual on Friday after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent earlier this week threatened further action amid the ongoing war. The sanctions target one entity based in Hong Kong and one person linked to Iran's Bank Melli, a notice posted on the Department of Treasury's website showed. Updated On:Fri, 28 Aug 2026 19:52:22 PKT US moves to cut off Banque Misr's UAE branches over Iran ties The US Treasury Department plans to restrict the UAE branches of Egypt’s Banque Misr from accessing the American financial system over their alleged business dealings with Iran, the Financial Times reported. The measure would prevent the bank’s UAE branches from accessing US financial institutions and conducting dollar-denominated transactions as part of Washington’s broader economic pressure campaign against Tehran. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the department was committed to cutting off Iran’s remaining economic lifelines and ending what he called the threat posed by the Iranian regime. Updated On:Fri, 28 Aug 2026 18:56:11 PKT Source says Israel seeking to delay Lebanon talks ahead of elections Israel is attempting to delay ongoing negotiations with Lebanon ahead of its October elections, according to a Lebanese source cited by Al Jazeera Arabic. The source said Israeli claims about difficulties in establishing pilot zones for withdrawing troops from southern Lebanon were also intended to buy time and delay the talks. The source added that efforts to keep the Ali al-Taher heights outside the fighting had failed, while Israeli military activity did not currently indicate plans to expand operations beyond the area. Updated On:Fri, 28 Aug 2026 18:25:11 PKT Iran condemns new US sanctions campaign as 'state terrorism' Iran has denounced the United States’ latest economic sanctions campaign, calling it “tantamount to state terrorism” against Iran and the wider world, state media ISNA reported. In a statement, Iran’s Foreign Ministry accused Washington of using the US dollar to pressure other countries into supporting what Tehran described as interventionist policies that violate international law. The ministry said such measures undermine the sovereignty and right to self-determination of UN member states. ?????? ????? ???? ????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ???? ????? ????? ??? ??????? ???? ????? ?? ????? ??? ???????????‌‌?? ??? ?? ?????? ? ???? ????????? ?? ?.? ??? ???? ?? ?????‌??? ???? ? ??‌???? ???? ????? ????? ???‌ ? ??? ? ????? ?????‌?? ? ???‌?????? ?? ?? ??? ???????‌???‌ pic.twitter.com/bhO6XJUEga — ????? ???? ????? (@IRIMFA) August 28, 2026 Updated On:Fri, 28 Aug 2026 18:22:55 PKT China says dialogue 'only viable way out' of US-Iran conflict China has called for dialogue and diplomatic negotiations to resolve tensions between the United States and Iran, as Washington imposes fresh economic sanctions on Tehran. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said in Beijing that negotiations remain the “only viable way out” of the conflict. He also reiterated China’s opposition to what he described as illegal and unilateral US sanctions against Iran, saying Beijing’s position remained “consistent and clear.” Updated On:Fri, 28 Aug 2026 15:18:15 PKT Iran war drives US transport fuel surcharges, but also industry profits US retailers, manufacturers and small businesses are paying hefty fuel surcharges to ship their goods, not only as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran boosts fuel costs but ‌also as some shippers profit from the fees. The charges have become a growing source of tension across supply chains, with customers arguing that some companies are using them to boost profits rather than simply recover higher fuel costs. Ultimately, those extra costs can be passed on to inflation-weary consumers. Updated On:Fri, 28 Aug 2026 15:05:50 PKT Dar discusses regional development with Turkish, Saudi FMs Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 spoke with Foreign Minister of Türkiye H.E. Hakan Fidan @HakanFidan. The two Ministers discussed the evolving regional situation and exchanged views on matters of common interest. They also discussed… pic.twitter.com/b8bN8zsYuV — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 28, 2026 Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 spoke with Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia H.H. Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud @FaisalbinFarhan. DPM/FM congratulated Prince Faisal on the consensus election of H.E. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed of… pic.twitter.com/MFbxo9YDcc — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 28, 2026 Updated On:Fri, 28 Aug 2026 12:37:10 PKT Araghchi calls for respectful US approach to revive diplomacy Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he held “creative discussions” with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, expressing hope that diplomacy can be brought back on track. In a post on X, Araghchi said a return to diplomacy remains possible but would depend on the United States changing its approach. “Putting diplomacy back on track isn't impossible,” Araghchi said. Had creative discussions with H.E. the PM/FM of Qatar. Putting diplomacy back on track isn't impossible. It hinges on U.S. understanding of one simple fact: pressure doesn't work. The U.S. should build trust, speak respectfully, acknowledge our rights, and uphold commitments. pic.twitter.com/9yQ2pOXe5R — Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) August 28, 2026 He added that progress hinges on Washington understanding what he described as a simple fact: “pressure doesn't work.” According to Araghchi, the US should instead focus on building trust and engaging respectfully. He also called on Washington to acknowledge Iran’s rights and honor its commitments. “The US should build trust, speak respectfully, acknowledge our rights, and uphold commitments,” Araghchi said. Updated On:Fri, 28 Aug 2026 11:19:27 PKT US senator says Trump struggling to find exit from Iran war US Senator Mark Kelly said President Donald Trump is struggling to find an exit from the war on Iran, with Americans paying higher gas and food costs, AlJazeera reported. "This is a crisis of his own making," Kelly told US media. Updated On:Fri, 28 Aug 2026 10:21:31 PKT Shipping traffic via Strait of Hormuz slips below 10-day average, data shows Seven commodity vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, down from 17 a day earlier ‌and below the 10-day average of 15, preliminary shipping data showed on Friday. Among the seven vessels that transited were two medium-range tankers, one very large gas carrier (VLGC), one Ultramax vessel, one intermediate tanker and two chemical tankers, initial data from shiptracker Kpler showed at 0315 GMT, Reuters reported. Four of the vessels were exiting the strait, including the two chemical tankers, the medium range and intermediate tanker. The VLGC, Ultramax and the other medium range tanker were entering the strait. The figures could change as some ships typically switch off transponders during the voyage. Updated On:Fri, 28 Aug 2026 09:13:10 PKT Oil on track for weekly loss even as Iran tensions simmer Oil prices fell on Friday and are on track to snap a two-week winning streak, despite settling higher in the previous session following a report, opens new tab that U.S. ‌President Donald Trump is not interested in returning to previous deal terms with Iran, Reuters reported. Brent crude futures were down 25 cents, or 0.3%, to $89.45 a barrel by 0035 GMT. West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell 22 cents, also 0.3%, to $83.31. Updated On:Fri, 28 Aug 2026 09:10:22 PKT Iran sets conditions for reopening Strait of Hormuz, top security official Rezaei says Iran is preparing a list of conditions for reopening the Strait ‌of Hormuz after mediators asked Tehran to set them out, said Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, adding that ending the regional war was among them. Rezaei said Iran had agreed with Oman on a shipping corridor through the strait, with parts of the route in Omani waters and parts in Iranian waters. Ships would use a designated central channel if the U.S. met Iran's conditions, he said through an interpreter in an Al Manar TV interview. On Wednesday, a senior source said Iran and Oman were still working on details of an agreement on the waterway after Iran's Revolutionary Guards ‌said the two countries had agreed on how to share control of the strait and its revenues. A Guards spokesperson said Iran would not allow the strait to reopen unless Washington lifted what Tehran describes as a blockade of Iranian ports while also paying compensation and removing sanctions. Before the war began in February, the strait carried roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Shipping through the waterway has largely stopped since then. Ceasefire agreements announced by Washington and Tehran in April and June were intended to restore maritime traffic, but did not hold. Updated On:Fri, 28 Aug 2026 07:22:53 PKT CENTCOM says Iran oil exports halted, Hormuz mines cleared US Central Command said Thursday that internationally recognized shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz had been cleared of Iranian sea mines and that Iran had exported no oil since Washington resumed its naval blockade in mid-July. “Today international shipping lanes are open and momentum is building,” he said. “While American forces have supported 750 million barrels of crude oil leaving the Gulf, Iran has exported zero oil from its shores since we resumed the naval blockade in mid-July.” Cooper said the blockade had prevented ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports without US permission, with exceptions only on humanitarian grounds. Since the blockade resumed, US forces have turned back 75 vessels attempting to breach it and disabled three others that failed to comply with US directions, Cooper said. Updated On:Fri, 28 Aug 2026 07:17:55 PKT Iran security chief threatens US economic interests if blockade continues Iran’s Supreme National Security Council secretary Mohsen Rezaei warned Thursday that Tehran would retaliate against US economic interests if the maritime blockade against Iran remained in place. “If the blockade continues, we will target US economic interests 100 percent, with intensity and force,” Rezaei said in an interview with Lebanon’s Al-Manar television. Rezaei said Iran had “broken the maritime blockade” during the ceasefire and exported between 70 million and 80 million barrels of oil, according to state broadcaster IRIB. He added that Iranian oil sales had returned to pre-sanctions levels and said Tehran had opened new export routes that were gradually expanding. Updated On:Fri, 28 Aug 2026 05:15:54 PKT Trump says Iran is 'failing,' seeking deal with US US President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social Thursday, “Iran Is a Failing Nation!” and said Tehran was “begging to make a deal” with Washington. “I don’t want to meet, they do. In fact, they are begging to make a deal,” Trump wrote. Updated On:Fri, 28 Aug 2026 04:12:36 PKT CENTCOM says Iran does not control Strait of Hormuz US Central Command said Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz and that the waterway remains international. “Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz,” CENTCOM spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins told Fox News. “The strait is an international waterway that commercial vessels continue to transit with US military assistance.” Updated On:Fri, 28 Aug 2026 04:10:34 PKT Trump remains vague on sanctions plan for Iran's partners President Donald Trump remained vague when asked about his campaign to choke off Iran’s economy, refusing to say whether he planned to sanction Chinese banks or if he’d discussed the matter with foreign counterparts. The administration announced earlier this week Operation Economic Outcast, which threatened tough new sanctions on Iran’s trading partners if they didn’t cut off ties to Tehran. But the administration stopped short of putting in place any new measures, and so far hasn’t listed any major financial institutions from China — Iran’s largest trading partner — as being subject to US sanctions. Updated On:Fri, 28 Aug 2026 04:09:58 PKT Trump remains vague on sanctions plan for Iran's partners President Donald Trump remained vague when asked about his campaign to choke off Iran’s economy, refusing to say whether he planned to sanction Chinese banks or if he’d discussed the matter with foreign counterparts. The administration announced earlier this week Operation Economic Outcast, which threatened tough new sanctions on Iran’s trading partners if they didn’t cut off ties to Tehran. But the administration stopped short of putting in place any new measures, and so far hasn’t listed any major financial institutions from China — Iran’s largest trading partner — as being subject to US sanctions. Updated On:Fri, 28 Aug 2026 02:52:16 PKT Iranian lawmaker says US must accept all of Tehran's conditions Iranian lawmaker Ebrahim Azizi, chairman of parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, said Thursday that the United States had only one path forward: accepting all of Iran’s conditions and fulfilling its commitments. “You may try every path and exhaust every option, but you know there is only one way out: submitting to the will of the great Iranian nation, accepting all of Iran’s conditions, and fully fulfilling your commitments,” Azizi wrote in a post on X. Updated On:Fri, 28 Aug 2026 02:50:04 PKT Houthis warn Saudi Arabia over Yemen blockade Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of seeking to weaken the country through a blockade of airports and seaports and warned insurance companies against relying on Riyadh’s assurances, the Houthi-run Saba news agency reported Thursday. In a statement, the Houthi Foreign Ministry said Saudi Arabia was trying to mobilize allies and “mercenaries” against Yemen and accused it of confiscating national resources to exhaust the country and impoverish its population. The ministry also said anyone who refused to take part in Saudi Arabia’s “destructive vision” was being placed under house arrest. It said those measures were now backfiring and causing mounting economic losses for Saudi Arabia. The ministry also warned insurance companies against becoming involved on the basis of Saudi assurances. Updated On:Fri, 28 Aug 2026 01:26:34 PKT Qatar PM holds talks with top Iranian officials in Tehran as mediation efforts gather pace Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met a series of senior Iranian officials in Tehran on Thursday, as regional mediators intensified efforts to ease tensions surrounding the US-Iran conflict and the future of the Strait of Hormuz. During a meeting with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the two discussed regional developments and efforts to reduce tensions and create conditions for the resumption of dialogue, according to Qatar’s Foreign Ministry in a statement. Updated On:Fri, 28 Aug 2026 01:21:44 PKT Trump says Russia has 'behaved quite well' over Strait of Hormuz “So far, I think Russia has behaved quite well, having to do with the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump told reporters. He said the waterway was open and that “millions of barrels of oil are coming out of the strait every day.” Asked which world leaders he had spoken to about cutting off ties with Iran, Trump said: “There is not a lot to speak to. We don’t want to speak to them.” Asked separately why the United States had not sanctioned Chinese banks doing business with Iran, Trump said: “Who said I’m not? You don’t know if I’m doing it. I don’t have to announce everything, do I?” Updated On:Fri, 28 Aug 2026 01:19:39 PKT Iran preparing conditions to open Strait of Hormuz, Rezaei says Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei said mediators had asked Tehran for its conditions to open the Strait of Hormuz and that Iran was preparing a list, in an interview with Lebanon’s Al Manar TV. Rezaei said the conditions include ending the war in the region. He said Iran had agreed to a corridor with Oman, with part of it in Omani waters and some in Iranian waters. Rezaei said ships would transit through a designated central channel in the Strait of Hormuz if the United States meets Iran’s conditions. Updated On:Fri, 28 Aug 2026 01:17:28 PKT Iran's top security chief dismisses alleged Iranian plot to assassinate Trump's son Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei dismissed allegations that Tehran plotted to assassinate US President Donald Trump’s youngest son as “a lie,” in an interview with Lebanon’s Al Manar TV. The comments followed an Iranian state television video aired this week that discussed a possible plot to assassinate Barron Trump, 20, claimed he was being monitored and alleged that a $10 million bounty had been placed on his life. A Reuters report on Tuesday cited US Secret Service spokesperson Nate Herring as saying the agency was aware of the video and investigates anything that could be perceived as a threat against people under its protection. Updated On:Thu, 27 Aug 2026 20:06:02 PKT US Naval blockade of Iran diverts 75 commercial ships: Centcom US Central Command (Centcom) has said 75 commercial vessels have been redirected as part of Washington’s naval blockade of Iran. According to Centcom, three commercial ships have also been disabled, while two others were boarded during operations linked to the blockade. U.S. Navy E/A 18G electronic-warfare aircraft patrol the skies over the Middle East while the U.S. continues to enforce the blockade against Iran. As of Aug. 27, CENTCOM forces have redirected 75 commercial vessels, disabled 3 and boarded 2 to ensure compliance. pic.twitter.com/JNzig4owRl — U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) August 27, 2026 Updated On:Thu, 27 Aug 2026 19:41:27 PKT Israeli army budget shortfall threatens military readiness, chief of staff says Israel’s military is facing a funding shortfall that is affecting its operational readiness, Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has said, according to Anadolu. Speaking during a multi-front security assessment, Zamir said the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) were dealing with financial constraints while its personnel continued operations across multiple fronts. He warned that the shortage of funds was having a negative impact on the military’s preparedness. Zamir’s remarks come amid a dispute between Israel’s defence and finance ministries over the allocation of additional funds for the military. Updated On:Thu, 27 Aug 2026 19:31:28 PKT UK Foreign Secretary praises Pakistan's role in US-Iran mediation during meeting with Dar British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has praised Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to facilitate dialogue and promote stability in the Middle East during a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. According to the Foreign Office, the two officials discussed bilateral relations as well as the latest developments in the Middle East. Dar briefed his British counterpart on Pakistan’s diplomatic and mediation initiatives in the region and the progress made through its efforts. Miliband appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role and facilitation efforts aimed at advancing dialogue, diplomacy and stability in the Middle East, the Foreign Office said. Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, during his official visit to the United Kingdom, held delegation-level talks with British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband @Ed_Miliband in London today. The two sides reviewed the full spectrum of… pic.twitter.com/DDtlO30q74 — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 27, 2026 Updated On:Thu, 27 Aug 2026 19:29:00 PKT White House says no negotiations happening with Iran, all options on table There are currently no negotiations happening between the United States and Iran, but all options remain on the table, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says in a Fox News interview, according to Reuters. Updated On:Thu, 27 Aug 2026 19:28:10 PKT Lebanon state media says Israeli strike kills woman in south Lebanese official media says Israeli airstrikes on the country’s south have killed a woman, after Israel’s military claimed Hezbollah launched drones at its soldiers there overnight, AFP reports. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reports a series of Israeli airstrikes, including on the town of Arab Salim, where it says a woman who “had been married for 48 hours” was killed, with others wounded. Updated On:Thu, 27 Aug 2026 15:42:46 PKT Greek-operated air defence system shoots down drones over Saudi An air defence system operated by Greek military personnel in Saudi Arabia intercepted a ‌swarm of drones on Thursday in the wider Yanbu region, home to major oil refining facilities, Greek security sources told Reuters. It was the third time the Greek-operated system has been used in combat since the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran began, underscoring the widening military role of European allies in defending Gulf energy infrastructure. "The battery engaged the drones in coordination with Saudi ‌air defence systems," one of the sources said, adding that the Greek Patriot system launched three missiles, without detailing the number of drones downed or their origin. Updated On:Thu, 27 Aug 2026 13:37:30 PKT Iran president calls on Muslim nations to unite despite differences Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has urged Muslim nations to unite despite their differences. He stated this while delivering a speech at the 40th International Islamic Unity Conference in Tehran. "No Muslim country should pursue its security in the insecurity of its neighbours," the president was quoted as saying by international media. He also slammed US-Israeli aggression against his country, and said that "Iran stood strong against US-Israeli aggression". "Iran is not in a weak position and it knows how to defend itself," he added. Updated On:Thu, 27 Aug 2026 13:03:38 PKT Shipping traffic through Strait of Hormuz rises slightly, data shows Shipping traffic at the Strait of Hormuz rose slightly even as a standoff persisted between the United States and Iran, ‌data showed on Thursday, while the market monitored Iran-Oman talks about the waterway. Visible commodity vessel transits at Hormuz totalled 10 on Wednesday, up slightly from eight on Tuesday, data from Kpler showed. This was below a 10-day moving average of about 15 vessels. Two medium-range fuel tankers, a liquefied petroleum gas carrier, a Panamax-sized tanker, and three handymax-sized tankers entered the strait from the Gulf of Oman. A medium-range fuel tanker, a bitumen tanker and a bulk carrier exited the waterway from the Gulf. Iran and Oman are still working on the details of an agreement on the Strait of Hormuz, a senior Iranian source said on Wednesday, after Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the two countries had ‌agreed how to share the waterway and its revenue. Updated On:Thu, 27 Aug 2026 12:29:32 PKT Iran unable to secure enough petrol imports due to US naval blockade, says official Iran has been unable to import enough petrol to make up for insufficient domestic production because of a US naval blockade, a senior Iranian official said, AFP reported. “Petrol production is insufficient, and because of the US naval blockade, we cannot import it,” the official IRNA news agency quoted Vice President Mohammad Jafar Ghaempanah as saying. Updated On:Thu, 27 Aug 2026 10:53:16 PKT Asia's crude oil imports stay soft in August, challenging US Hormuz claims Asia's imports of crude oil in August are still well short of levels prior to the start of the Iran conflict, raising further questions as to just how much crude is actually leaving the Middle East. The top-importing continent is expected to see arrivals ?of 23.12 million barrels per day (bpd) in August, slightly down from July's 23.36 million bpd, according to data compiled by commodity analysts Kpler. Imports are also ‌almost 4 million bpd, or 14%, down from the average of 26.91 million bpd in the three months to the end of February. Updated On:Thu, 27 Aug 2026 09:51:08 PKT Unknown projectile hits tanker in Strait of Hormuz: UKMTO The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that an unknown projectile struck a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, according to IRNA news agency. In its early Thursday statement, the organization said: According to local authorities, this attack resulted in a fire on the ship. Updated On:Thu, 27 Aug 2026 09:39:55 PKT Israeli conducts airstrikes in southern Lebanon Israeli warplanes conducted two airstrikes on the Ali al-Taher heights in southern Lebanon, Press TV reported. Updated On:Thu, 27 Aug 2026 08:28:15 PKT Shipping traffic at key Gulf waterways remain subdued, data shows Shipping traffic at key Gulf waterways remained subdued as a geopolitical standoff persisted between the United States and Iran, while the market also monitored Iran-Oman talks about the Strait of Hormuz, data showed, Reuters reported. Updated On:Thu, 27 Aug 2026 08:23:52 PKT Iran says US sanctions will achieve nothing Iran's president insisted on Wednesday that the United States would achieve nothing with its new sanctions campaign after Washington laid out plans to collapse the country's economy, AFP reported. "America will not achieve anything with economic pressure at this stage, just as it was unable to achieve anything in the war," Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Wednesday, according to the country's ISNA news agency. "We will stand firm against economic pressures, as we have done so far and will continue to do." Updated On:Thu, 27 Aug 2026 03:29:11 PKT Ghalibaf welcomes China's 'principled statement' denouncing US economic campaign against Iran Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has welcomed a “principled statement” from the Chinese foreign ministry rejecting US economic pressure and “illegal sanctions against Iran”. “The Iran-China comprehensive strategic partnership is rooted in mutual respect, win-win cooperation, and a shared vision for a multipolar world. This relationship needs no one’s permission,” he writes on X. Updated On:Thu, 27 Aug 2026 03:07:09 PKT Qatari PM to visit Tehran today: Foreign Ministry Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani will visit Tehran on Thursday, where he will meet Iranian officials to discuss ways to de-escalate tensions, Reuters reports citing Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari. Dr. Majed Al Ansari, Advisor to the Prime Minister and official Spokesperson for Ministry of Foreign Affairs, wrote on X, "HE Sheikh @MBA_AlThani_, will arrive in Tehran tomorrow, where he will meet with a number of Iranian officials to discuss ways to de-escalate tensions & create the conditions conducive to dialogue. The visit comes in line with the State of Qatar’s firm position that the diplomatic path is the best means of resolving differences & promoting security & stability in the region. The discussions will also address freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz & the need for it to return to the status quo prior to February 28." Updated On:Wed, 26 Aug 2026 23:50:48 PKT Qatar pushes for revival of US-Iran talks Qatar is continuing diplomatic efforts to revive negotiations between the United States and Iran, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari said. He said Qatari officials were in daily telephone contact with various parties and maintaining direct communication with Iran to facilitate a return to talks. Al Ansari said Doha was exploring proposals and mechanisms to bring the two sides back to the negotiating table, while stressing full participation in the Qatar-Pakistan-led mediation process. He said negotiations were the only way out of the crisis. Qatar’s immediate priority, he added, was restoring normal maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz while supporting de-escalation and ceasefire efforts. Updated On:Wed, 26 Aug 2026 22:03:51 PKT IRGC claims US faces strategic weapons shortages after Iran war The United States is facing shortages of strategic weapons following its war with Iran, with some depleted stocks potentially taking years to replenish, Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency reported, citing an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesperson. Brigadier General Hossein Mohebbi said Washington was facing direct strategic vulnerabilities as a result of the conflict. Speaking at a meeting with media representatives in Isfahan, Mohebbi claimed the United States had been forced to retreat “not only in the hard war but also in the infrastructure war.” Updated On:Wed, 26 Aug 2026 19:29:44 PKT Qatar reaffirms support for diplomatic efforts to end Middle East war Qatar has reaffirmed its support for diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and achieving lasting peace in the region. Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani discussed regional developments and diplomatic efforts with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan during a phone call. The two sides discussed coordination aimed at reducing tensions and strengthening regional security and stability. Al-Thani reaffirmed Doha’s support for diplomatic efforts to ensure freedom of maritime navigation and pave the way for a comprehensive agreement that could secure lasting peace in the region. Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs @MBA_AlThani_, Saudi Foreign Minister Hold Phone Call Doha | August 26, 2026 HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani and HH Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of… pic.twitter.com/mrGnpYt59n — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) August 26, 2026 Updated On:Wed, 26 Aug 2026 18:48:21 PKT Oil prices fall on signs of progress in US-Iran talks Oil prices have fallen amid increased US economic pressure on Iran, as well as signs of progress in talks between Washington and Tehran, Reuters reports Brent crude, a key catalyst for Gulf financial markets, has fallen by more than two per cent on hopes that the Strait of Hormuz could reopen. It was trading at $86.43 a barrel at 1230 GMT (5:30pm PKT). Updated On:Wed, 26 Aug 2026 18:32:04 PKT Ishaq Dar meets Commonwealth chief, highlights Pakistan's role in regional peace Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar met Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey at Marlborough House in London on Wednesday, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to the Commonwealth and its efforts to strengthen the organisation. During the meeting, Dar expressed Pakistan’s support for Botchwey’s vision and highlighted the country’s commitment to the Commonwealth’s youth, climate resilience and economic development agendas. He also stressed the importance of promoting intra-Commonwealth trade through institutionalised cooperation in the banking sector. Highlighting Pakistan’s expertise in climate mitigation and disaster management, the deputy prime minister said Commonwealth member states could benefit from the country’s experience. He renewed Pakistan’s offer to host the Commonwealth Disaster Resilience Hub at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in Islamabad. The Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, met with Commonwealth Secretary-General @SGCommonWealth Shirley Botchwey at Marlborough House in London today. Reaffirming Pakistan’s strong commitment to the Commonwealth as a founding member,… pic.twitter.com/KL7hv9MyrF — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 26, 2026 Updated On:Wed, 26 Aug 2026 18:22:53 PKT Iran and Oman reach agreements on share of Hormuz and revenues: IRGC Iran and Oman have reached agreements on their share of the Strait of Hormuz and its revenues, Reuters reports citing a spokesperson for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The spokesperson adds that the negotiations were being obstructed by the US, reiterating that the waterway will not open until the US upholds its commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. Updated On:Wed, 26 Aug 2026 17:33:16 PKT Ghalibaf says negotiations with US do not mean 'compromise or passivity' Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has reiterated that negotiations with the United States should not be interpreted as capitulation, “compromise or passivity”, Iranian news agency ISNA reports. Responding to a letter from Kayhan newspaper editor Hossein Shariatmadari, Ghalibaf said serving as Tehran’s chief negotiator was “not a privilege” but rather “a heavy test and a serious trust”. He added that negotiations were neither inherently valuable nor taboo, saying they could not be considered “absolutely good nor absolutely evil”. ???? ??????? ?? ???? ???? ??????????: ?? ???‌???? ???????? ?? ?? ???? ???? ????? ?? ???? ????? ??? ???? ? ?????? ????? ??? -????? ?? ???? ?? ??????? ? ????? ?????? ??????? ???? ? ?????? ?? ??? ???? ????? ???? ?? ???? ???? ????? ??? pic.twitter.com/0iIEyzY7TV — ???????? ????? (@isna_farsi) August 26, 2026 Updated On:Wed, 26 Aug 2026 17:32:15 PKT Iran president says 'US will achieve nothing' with economic pressure Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says that the “United States will achieve nothing” with its new round of economic sanctions, local media reports according to AFP. “Given the measures the government has undertaken, America will not achieve anything with economic pressure at this stage, just as it was unable to achieve anything in the war,” Pezeshkian said, according to ISNA news agency. Updated On:Wed, 26 Aug 2026 17:31:25 PKT Aramco offers more oil outside Hormuz with some cargoes heading to China Saudi 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, Reuters reports. 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. Updated On:Wed, 26 Aug 2026 15:22:18 PKT Iran calls on countries to denounce US unilateral coercive measures Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations, Gholamhossein Darzi, has “called on all States to reject and denounce the extraterritorial application of unilateral coercive measures by the United States regime aimed at compelling Member States to subordinate their sovereign rights and lawful policies to those of another State,” IRNA reported. “The Security Council must categorically condemn and reject these unilateral coercive measures aimed at compelling sovereign States to alter their lawful economic interests and foreign relations,” Darzi said in a statement addressing the United Nations Security Council Open Debate on “The Security Council’s Role in Mitigating Global and Local Food Crises” on Tuesday. Updated On:Wed, 26 Aug 2026 15:17:46 PKT Lebanon accuses Israel of burning forest, farmland in south As extreme heat fuels wildfires worldwide this summer, Lebanese officials and residents have accused Israel's military of systematically sparking blazes that have burnt swathes of forest and farmland in the country's south. In the village of Shaqra, Haidar Qoteish, 36, says he has watched fires devour fields and orchards in his hometown of Hula, just five kilometres (three miles) away but under Israeli military control. "They've burnt everything. You can see the fields are all black," the father of four told AFP by telephone. "Those whose land they didn't burn, they've bulldozed," he said. "It's a great loss, and there's nothing we can do." Updated On:Wed, 26 Aug 2026 15:06:20 PKT Iran says Hormuz strait still closed despite transit corridor talks Iran and Oman are discussing a temporary transit corridor and mine-clearing for the Strait of Hormuz, but Tehran warned on Wednesday that the vital waterway will not be reopened unless the United States ends the war. During talks in Tehran, foreign ministers from Iran and Oman discussed a "phased framework" that included setting up a "joint temporary navigational corridor through the Strait of Hormuz and an agreement to implement a joint project to clear the Strait of mines," according to a statement. The two countries, both coastal states bordering the strait, have sought to hammer out a plan to regulate transit through it, as laid out in a June US-Iran memorandum of understanding. Updated On:Wed, 26 Aug 2026 14:13:41 PKT Netanyahu says no diplomatic deal possible with Iran 'savages' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a diplomatic deal was not possible with the "savages" who rule Iran as he hailed US President Donald Trump's new campaign of economic pressure, AFP reported. Recounting a recent meeting with Trump, Netanyahu told an event late Tuesday that they had discussed the possibility of diplomacy with Iran and said: "I doubt, however, that an agreement can be reached with that group there, with those savages. I tell you - an agreement cannot be reached." Updated On:Wed, 26 Aug 2026 13:28:13 PKT Supertankers with 4 million barrels of Saudi oil head for China, data shows Two supertankers carrying four million barrels of Saudi crude are bound for China after loading the cargoes via ship-to-ship transfers off Oman, Reuters reported citing shipping data on Wednesday. Updated On:Wed, 26 Aug 2026 13:20:08 PKT British energy price cap to rise 4pc as Iran war pushes up costs Most British households will see their energy bills rise from October after ‌energy regulator Ofgem announced a 4% hike in its domestic price cap as the war in Iran pushes up wholesale costs, Reuters reported. The rise will be a blow to the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who has pledged to ease cost-of-living pressures, and more than wipes out measures he announced last month to cut tax on electricity bills. "High international gas prices are continuing to drive energy costs in the UK. We welcome the government’s intervention to remove VAT from electricity bills, without which customers would have faced even higher costs this winter,” said Neil Kenward, Ofgem’s director general for markets. Updated On:Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:09:46 PKT Iran must not be permitted to threaten international commerce, Bessent tells Bahrain's minister .@SecScottBessent spoke today with Bahrain’s Minister of Finance and National Economy, H.E. Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, to discuss Operation Economic Outcast. Secretary Bessent stressed that Iran must not be permitted to threaten international commerce or use the… — Treasury Department (@USTreasury) August 26, 2026 Updated On:Wed, 26 Aug 2026 11:32:21 PKT As war strands Qatari gas for 6 months, US sales rise and European stocks plummet Six months into the U.S.-Iran war, Qatar is among the conflict's biggest economic casualties, with its liquefied natural gas exports slashed by 96%, data shows. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq and Kuwait have seen their oil exports hit, but by nowhere near as much. Qatar has lost $24 billion in gas sales, which is about five months’ worth of income for the country based on 2025 data, Reuters calculations show. While neighbouring Gulf exporters have managed to sneak oil secretly out of the Strait of Hormuz, Qatar has exported just 18 LNG ‌cargoes, down from 509 in the same period last year, according to data intelligence firm ICIS. Two Qatari tankers have been attacked. State-owned LNG producer QatarEnergy did not respond to a Reuters request for immediate comment. Before the war Qatar supplied about one-fifth of the world’s daily LNG. Exports from the U.S. have offset some of that lost supply. Updated On:Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:20:18 PKT Trump sends Saudi civil nuclear agreement to Congress for review US President Donald Trump has submitted a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia to Congress for review, an administration official said. The classified pact, sent to Capitol Hill on Monday, is aimed at bolstering Riyadh’s nuclear programme but remains contingent on Saudi Arabia normalising relations with Israel, AFP reports. Updated On:Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:06:30 PKT Oil prices slide 2% on Iran-Oman talks to reopen Strait of Hormuz Oil prices dropped about 2% on Wednesday, adding to the previous session's losses, on fresh hopes ‌the Strait of Hormuz could reopen after Iran said it had resumed talks with neighbour Oman on managing the strategic waterway, Reuters reported. Brent crude futures fell $1.78, or 2.0%, to $86.80 a barrel by 0027 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were down $1.49, or 1.8%, at $80.87. Both benchmarks lost more than 3% on Tuesday. Updated On:Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:04:01 PKT US is not expected to launch new strikes against Iran 'for the time being': Rubio US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has told several foreign ministers from allied countries in recent days that the United States is not expected to launch new strikes against Iran “for the time being” and will instead focus on other forms of pressure, Axios reported on Tuesday. The report, citing a US official and a second source familiar with the matter, comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran. Updated On:Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:03:15 PKT US blockade pushes Iranian tankers toward Asian waters The US naval blockade is forcing Iranian-flagged oil tankers to remain away from Iranian ports, with at least 20 empty vessels now anchored off Sri Lanka after completing ship-to-ship transfers of Iranian crude in Southeast Asia, United Against Nuclear Iran said on Tuesday. The tankers have remained away from Iranian ports because of the blockade, with several moving away from the Galle anchorage on August 23, possibly because of increased regulatory or enforcement pressure following recent media coverage of the vessels, the report said. Other Iran-flagged tankers reached the Singapore Strait, with 26 vessels tracked there and expected to carry out ship-to-ship transfers at an anchorage off Malaysia, according to the report. As U.S. forces continue to enforce the naval blockade, 50 tankers laden with Iranian oil and petrochemicals remain at anchorages along Iran’s coastline. While 20 empty Iran-flagged tankers are loitering near Sri Lanka, Iran-flagged cargo ships continue to operate openly across… pic.twitter.com/hXx3RuhR2f — UANI (@UANI) August 25, 2026 Updated On:Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:02:54 PKT Iran and Oman propose temporary Strait of Hormuz deal Iran and Oman outlined a proposal Tuesday to jointly establish a temporary shipping channel through the Strait of Hormuz, according to regional officials, after weeks of fraught discussions between the two countries. Tehran and Muscat discussed a “phased framework” for a joint project facilitating a “temporary shipping corridor” and to “clear mines,” a press statement from the Iranian and Omani foreign ministries said. Officials will carry on talks “with the aim of reaching agreement on a permanent shipping corridor and the future administration of the Strait,” the statement added. Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi visited Iran and held consultations with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the state-run Oman News Agency (ONA) reported earlier. Constructive dialogue in Tehran with my colleague Dr @Araghchi. I am hopeful we will soon announce a temporary corridor for the Strait of Hormuz and practical arrangements to restore safe navigation. Future management of the Strait and a permanent solution will follow in due… pic.twitter.com/UBkKE2j4SL — Badr Albusaidi - ??? ????????? (@badralbusaidi) August 25, 2026 After the meeting, the Omani foreign minister said he was “hopeful” both nations would “soon announce a temporary corridor” for the strait. “Future management of the Strait and a permanent solution will follow in due course,” he posted on X. Updated On:Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:02:34 PKT Iran says Oman understanding bars military vessels from Hormuz route Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said an understanding with Oman would allow only commercial vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz, saying “no military vessel will be allowed to pass,” in an interview with state television Tuesday. “Under the understanding, the inbound route to the Persian Gulf will be through Iranian waters and the outbound route through Omani territorial waters, and on both routes ships will pass through Iranian waters,” he added. Gharibabadi said the route would be temporary and that Iran and Oman would negotiate a new permanent route within 30 to 60 days to replace the previous maritime traffic scheme. Updated On:Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:02:10 PKT Turkiye faces gas supply risk as US targets Iran trade: Bloomberg Turkiye could lose a significant source of natural gas if the United States follows through on threats to economically isolate Iran, Bloomberg reported Tuesday. Turkiye sourced about 13% of its natural gas imports from Iran last year, or 7.7 billion cubic meters, according to data from Turkey’s energy regulator, making Iran its fourth-largest supplier after Russia, Azerbaijan and the United States. Gas flows from Iran have continued despite the war, aside from a brief interruption following an attack on the South Pars gas field, Bloomberg reported. Bilateral trade stood at about $3.1 billion in the first half of 2026, down 3% from a year earlier, according to Turkish trade data. Updated On:Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:01:49 PKT Iranian speaker ridicules US 'Economic D-Day' campaign Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf mocked the US campaign against Iran on Tuesday, ridiculing Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s description of the new sanctions drive as an “Economic D-Day” and questioning Washington’s stated concern about disrupting the global financial system. “Him: “Economic D-Day.” Also him, five seconds later: “ why would I want to blow up the global financial system?” Sir this ain’t Normandy, this is improv night and you forgot your own script,” Ghalibaf posted on X. Him: “Economic D-Day.” Also him, five seconds later: “[lol] why would I want to blow up the global financial system?” Sir this ain’t Normandy, this is improv night and you forgot your own script. #-Day — ???????? ??????? | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) August 25, 2026 Updated On:Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:01:29 PKT UK backs further economic pressure on Iran, supports US campaign Britain will continue working with the United States and other partners to increase economic pressure on Iran and has imposed more than 240 sanctions since taking office, Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey said in a statement Tuesday. Healey said Britain supported US efforts to secure a diplomatic solution and welcomed increased pressure on Tehran, including through Operation Economic Outcast. “We will continue to work with partners to protect our interests, take the necessary steps to re-open the Strait and counter Iran’s dangerous activity,” he said. Healey called on Iran to cease its destabilizing activity across the region, including in the Strait of Hormuz, and to engage in diplomatic talks “in good faith.” Updated On:Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:01:09 PKT Iran says regional solutions stressed in Pakistan, Oman talks Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said talks with Pakistani and Omani officials had emphasized regional solutions to current tensions. “Iran’s commitment to peace and stability is matched by steadfast diplomacy with our neighbors,” Araghchi wrote in a post on X Tuesday. He said a proposed framework for a new corridor through the Strait of Hormuz, joint mine-clearing and future management of the strait was “a case in point.” Updated On:Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:00:50 PKT Trump says all mines removed from Strait of Hormuz US President Donald Trump has claimed that all mines have been cleared or detonated in the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the US Navy had warned Iran that any vessel attempting to lay new mines would be “immediately and systematically destroyed”. He said the US Space Force was monitoring every part of the strategic waterway, as well as Pickaxe Mountain and three other nuclear sites that he said had already been destroyed. Trump also reiterated that a “zero-tolerance policy” was in place against any further mine-laying in the Strait. Updated On:Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:00:25 PKT No talks with Iran underway or planned, White House official says A White House official has said the United States currently has no talks or discussions underway with Iran, nor are any scheduled, according to Al Jazeera Arabic. The official reiterated President Donald Trump’s position that Washington is not engaged in negotiations with Tehran. The official also said the US naval blockade remains firmly in place, while the Strait of Hormuz is open and operational. The source added that sea mines in the strategic waterway had been removed or destroyed.