Latest war news. Trump: ‘We have cleared the entire Strait of Hormuz of mines; we have 100 per cent control over it’

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has appointed General Ali Abdollahi as the new Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, according to Iranian state television. “‘In view of the honourable martyrdom of Lieutenant-General Abdolrahim Mousavi at the hands of the American-Israeli enemy, and in recognition of his merits and valuable experience, I hereby appoint him Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces’, reads the appointment decree. Khamenei has also appointed Admiral Ali Azimi as commander of the Revolutionary Guards’ Navy (Pasdaran).

US President Donald Trump has called for “compensation” from Iran “for all the people they have killed and seriously injured with their roadside bombs and in the numerous conflicts for which they are notorious, initially led by General Soleimani, including the families of the victims of the USS Cole and the thousands of other people killed in combat”.

“I see that representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran are seeking compensation for damages suffered during the last five months of military conflict, even though the matter was never mentioned in any of our negotiations or meetings! – Trump wrote on Truth Social – ‘But it’s an interesting idea because now I, too, am seeking compensation from Iran’.”

The war in Iran is depleting the United States’ strategic oil reserves: they have fallen below 300 million barrels, reaching their lowest level since 1983. According to a statement released today by the Department of Energy, strategic crude oil reserves fell by 6.1 million barrels last week to 298.7 million barrels. Before the military operation launched by the US and Israel against Iran on 28 February, strategic oil reserves stood at around 415 million barrels.

In March, following the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the conflict between the US and Iran, US President Donald Trump ordered the release of 172 million barrels of crude oil from national reserves. The move was part of a coordinated effort with the 32 member countries of the International Energy Agency, which together agreed to release a total of 400 million barrels, a record in the history of the Agency, which was founded in 1974 following the oil embargo imposed by Arab producers in response to US support for Israel during the 1973 Arab–Israeli War.

Negotiations between Iran and Oman are proceeding “smoothly”, although there are reportedly parties intent on obstructing the reaching of an agreement. This was stated by the spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esmaeil Baghaei, speaking on the state broadcaster Irib. “Talks with Oman are proceeding smoothly,” said Baghaei, adding that an agreement appears likely and would represent “an important milestone in the negotiations”. The spokesperson also accused the United States of continuing to carry out “hostile actions” in the Strait of Hormuz, making passage through the strait unsafe. According to Baghaei, Tehran regards the US naval blockade as “an act of aggression” against Iran.

Iranian state media reported today that the decrees issued by Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, concerning the appointment of several senior military commanders, will be made public within a few hours. This was reported by Iran International. Several top posts within the Iranian armed forces and security services, including the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces and the Ministers of Defence and Intelligence, have remained without permanent appointees since the previous incumbents were killed in Israeli-American air strikes.

Italy and Saudi Arabia share a strategy based on dialogue and de-escalation in the face of regional tensions and the crisis between the United States and Iran. This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in an interview with the Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat. Tajani emphasised that “the partnership between Italia and Saudi Arabia has never been as important as it is today”. And “at a time of profound regional uncertainty, our two countries share a common strategic vision based on dialogue, stability and responsible leadership”, the minister explained.

Italia views the regional situation “within the broader context of growing international instability”, regarding the Gulf as “a crucial political, economic and security partner”. In this context, “one of Italy’s greatest strengths is its ability to engage simultaneously with all the key players involved in regional crises”. “This enables us to keep all diplomatic channels open and to help de-escalate tensions even at the most difficult times,” concluded Tajani.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian spoke at a press conference at the University of Tehran about his recent “positive” meeting with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. “We discussed all the issues and expressed all our concerns. From a health perspective, he was in excellent condition,” said Pezeshkian, as quoted by ISNA. “Someone capable of sitting for seven or eight hours discussing matters with us certainly cannot have any health problems.”

WTI crude oil has once again breached the psychological threshold of $80 a barrel due to doubts over whether the United States and Iran will reach an agreement to increase shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

At the moment, WTI is up 3.24 per cent at $80.71 a barrel.

The president of the Jewish Community of Milan, Walker Meghnagi, has criticised the proposal to award the Nobel Peace Prize to the children of Gaza. “I, too, weep for the Palestinian children who are victims of this terrible conflict,” says Meghnagi, “but drawing a line between the suffering of children is dangerous. A unilateral initiative such as this erases Jewish children, who are also caught up in a war that Israel certainly did not want. It is moral apartheid: one cannot grieve for the children on one side without also grieving for those on the other.” The Nobel initiative for the children of Gaza, launched by Avvenire, has also been endorsed by the PD secretary, Elly Schlein.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced today that he had held a seven-hour meeting with the Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, adding that the Ayatollah’s main recommendation was to preserve ‘unity and cohesion’. “I discussed with him all the issues facing the country, including people’s livelihoods, the state of the market, employment, housing, sanctions, our resolve, popular support, unity and cohesion,” said Pezeshkian, as reported by Iran International.

Netanyahu’s rejection of Trump’s 15-point plan for the Gaza Strip represents a “direct blow to the mediators’ efforts” and is “deliberately obstructing the path towards de-escalation and significantly exacerbating the humanitarian crisis”. This was stated on Telegram by the Gaza government’s press office , adding that the Palestinian factions have “demonstrated a high degree of national responsibility” and have engaged “positively” in the negotiations, “driven by the desire to prevent further bloodshed amongst our Palestinian people and to put an end to the catastrophic humanitarian crisis”. Gaza has urged the international community and the United Nations to “compel the occupying government to end its genocidal war and to implement the agreed terms”,

The Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and the Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf have been invited by Pakistan to visit Islamabad for talks. This was reported by the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Esmaeil Baghaei.

Araghchi and Ghalibaf will make the visit “at the appropriate time”, Baghaei said, without giving any indication of the date. “Mutual visits and exchanges are a natural part of the growing relations between the two neighbouring countries,” he added.

At least 19 Palestinians have been arrested in various parts of the West Bank. This was reported by the Wafa news agency, which was told by a security source that ten of them were arrested in the village of Marah Rabah, in the Bethlehem Governorate. Israeli forces also raided the Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus, where they arrested five Palestinians and shot and wounded a young man, who was then taken to hospital for treatment.

In Jenin, Israel has arrested three Palestinians. Local sources have reported that Israeli forces raided several homes in the Jenin Governorate and questioned civilians. They also arrested Mahmoud Shalawto, a man who had previously served a 10-year prison sentence, in the ancient Palestinian village of Aboud, north of Ramallah.

“We look at concrete actions rather than statements. In fact, Israel is complying with the agreement: it has halted targeted killings and is maintaining the ceasefire in Gaza. The IDF is indeed positioned on the original ‘yellow line’ (53%), with no outposts or forces beyond it.” This was stated by a source from the Board of Peace, as reported by Ynet. ‘“Of course, it would have been better for Israel if its statements had been consistent with its concrete actions: it would have benefited from the political advantage of complying with the terms of the agreement.”’

Incidents of ‘nationalist’ violence attributed to Israeli settlers in the West Bank rose by 63 per cent in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period last year, according to figures from the Israeli security services cited by the public broadcaster Kan.

In the first six months of the year, 660 attacks were recorded, compared with 405 in the same period of 2025. Attacks against the Israeli security forces also rose by 50 per cent, reaching a total of 45.

The Strait of Hormuz will not return to the situation that existed before the war, and the United States and Israel will have to adapt to the ‘new order in the region’. This was stated by Ali Nikzad, vice-president of the Iranian Islamic Consultative Assembly, as quoted by the Iranian news agency Mehr.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran sought to make it clear to the aggressor and the misguided enemy, during the war, that the Strait of Hormuz would not return to its pre-war state,” said Nikzad, speaking to the Assembly on the situation in the region.

Talks on navigation through the Strait of Hormuz are proceeding “smoothly and constructively”. This was stated by the spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esmaeil Baghaei, according to a report by the Iranian news agency Tasnim. Baghaei stated that an agreement had been reached on the map of shipping routes, whilst discussions on various technical issues are continuing. Under the agreements, new mechanisms will be established to monitor the safe passage of ships, protect the environment and combat maritime crime. Ships will also be charged fees for maritime services, Mr Baghaei said.

At least six Palestinians have been injured in the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours as a result of Israeli attacks. This was reported by the enclave’s Ministry of Health.

According to the ministry, since the ceasefire came into force last October, Israeli attacks have resulted in at least 1,258 deaths and 4,145 injuries.

Hussam al-Astal, commander of an Israeli-backed militia fighting Hamas in the south of the Gaza Strip, told The Times of Israel that Israel should reject the implementation of the second-phase ceasefire agreement, because Hamas will never hand over its weapons. “I don’t think the agreement will go ahead. Hamas will not hand over the weapons in its possession. I hope a ceasefire agreement is reached, but without Hamas. Hamas will not accept it,” said al-Astal, adding: “Hamas knows that if it handed over its weapons, it would no longer be in power”. Al-Astal’s militia operates with Israeli logistical and military support in the Khan Younis area. Over the past year, despite the ceasefire, the militia has continued to fight Hamas from time to time.

‘Our region does not need foreigners to ensure its stability. The countries in the region should not rely on the United States, nor should they harbour any illusions that the United States – which is itself a source of instability and insecurity – can guarantee regional security.” This was stated by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei during his weekly press conference.

Without the United States, he said, Israel “would never have been able to take the current measures and continue its crimes, as Washington provides political support for the regime and creates the conditions for it to wage war with impunity”, he noted, expressing the hope that the states in the region “will learn from the mistakes of the past and cooperate to strengthen collective security and put an end to the current tension”.

The Israeli Prime Minister insists on social media: ‘As long as I am Prime Minister, there will be no Palestinian state – neither in Gaza nor in Judea and Samaria. Neither Fatahstan nor Hamasstan.’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with the US Special Envoy for Peace Jared Kushner last week and pledged to give Donald Trump’s 15-point plan for Gaza a chance. This was reported by Axios, citing a US official. Netanyahu had previously rejected Trump’s plan for the disarmament of Hamas during a cabinet meeting held on Sunday. “The Israel Defence Forces will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas has been effectively disarmed,” Netanyahu said a few hours ago.

Meanwhile, the IDF has begun a gradual withdrawal back to the yellow line in Gaza, halting its attacks in the Strip, reports Axios.

According to the spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esmail Baghaei, military cooperation between Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan does not pose a threat to Iran. For Tehran, the regional military alliance reflects a growing realisation that the United States cannot guarantee security and is itself a source of instability in the Middle East. Al Jazeera reports this on its English-language X account.

“The only response to our enemies and to those who wish us harm is strength, determination and total victory – without compromise and without mercy. Hamas and Hezbollah must be annihilated to the very last man, without hesitation and without stopping.” This was written in X by Israel’s Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir.

“Anyone who thought we could entrust the safety of our children to the agreements and assurances of those around us has been dealt a painful blow this morning,” he adds. “Behind all these agreements in principle lie lies and deceit. These are agreements designed to lull us into a false sense of security in the run-up to the next attack. It is precisely for this reason that we spoke out before 7 October; it is precisely for this reason that we opposed every ill-considered agreement and every attempt to sell us ‘the illusion of tranquillity’.

The war in the Middle East – 10 August 2026

US President Donald Trump is reportedly prepared to declare victory in the war against Iran should the Strait of Hormuz be reopened. This is according to the Wall Street Journal, which cites US officials as saying that Trump has stated in private that he would refuse to sign a nuclear deal with Tehran.

According to reports, Trump is prepared to be patient in the negotiations, particularly if petrol prices at the pump in the United States remain stable. Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, a White House official stated that the US had achieved all its military objectives in Iran and that the president is now focusing on ensuring the safe transit of oil through the Strait.

The Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, affiliated with Hezbollah, reports that, as part of the negotiations between Israel and Lebanon for a permanent agreement, Israel has requested the transfer to Israel of the remains of Jews buried in Lebanese cemeteries. The news is reported by the Times of Israel.

According to the newspaper, the Israeli side has identified a large number of Jewish graves in Beirut and Sidon belonging to people who have relatives currently living in Israel.

The Lebanese state news agency NNA, also cited by Al-Jazeera, reports that three Israeli attacks took place in various locations in southern Lebanon. The NNA correspondent reported that Israel had bombed the village of Kfar Tebnit, whilst the outskirts of the town of Nabatieh al-Fawqa were hit by Israeli bombardment. According to NNA, the town of Mansouri was also struck by Israel.

Iran is reportedly prioritising financial issues in its dealings with the United States, in particular the release of its frozen assets. This was stated by the US Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, who argued that the economic pressure and the blockade imposed by Washington are bound to influence Tehran’s decisions.

“The Iranians are more afraid of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent than of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth at the moment,” Waltz told Fox News.

Israel has rejected the US-announced plan for Gaza and has no intention of withdrawing the IDF from the Strip ‘until Hamas is completely disarmed’, Netanyahu announced in his first statement on the 15-point roadmap presented by the Board of Peace established by Trump. “As long as I am Prime Minister, there will be no Palestinian state, neither in Gaza nor in the West Bank,” the Prime Minister thundered.

The White House plays down the situation: we are not concerned by Bibi’s comments; we understand his political needs. The Jerusalem Post explains: last week he promised Kushner that he would give the plan a chance, and the IDF is already withdrawing towards the Yellow Line. “We expect the United States to put pressure on Netanyahu to stick to the timetable and not obstruct the process for electoral reasons,” is Hamas’s reaction.

Further reading

War, latest news. Gaza: Israel rejects the Board of Peace’s 15-point plan

09 August 2026