TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Major General Ahmad Vahidi praised the Iranian Armed Forces for their performance during six months of fighting and bringing the most heavily armed military in world history to its knees.
New Delhi [India], August 15 (ANI): As India celebrates its landmark 80th Independence Anniversary, international diplomatic missions, ambassadors, and partner nations based in New Delhi have shared heartfelt greetings, honouring India's democratic journey, civilizational heritage, and robust bilateral partnerships.
Morning recap Good morning Middle East Eye readers, President Donald Trump said he would "soon" declare the Strait of Hormuz part of US territory after defeating Iran. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi retorted that Tehran would not be intimidated by threats or a show of force by Washington. Trump’s remarks came as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said no decision has yet been made to resume negotiations with the United States.
UKMTO says bulk carrier struck in Hormuz A bulk carrier has been struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said. UKMTO said it received a verified report that the projectile hit the vessel’s hull. "The crew is reported safe, no damage assessment has been reported, and environmental impact is unknown at present," the UKMTO wrote on X, advising vessels to transit the area with caution and report any suspicious activity.
Six killed in Israeli air attacks on southern Lebanon Six people were killed following an Israeli air strike on the town of Ansar in southern Lebanon early Saturday morning, according to the country’s civil defence. Israeli jets struck the outskirts of Ansar in the Nabatieh district, as well as the vicinity of Nabatieh al-Fawqa, Quds News Network reported earlier. At dawn, Israeli troops blew up a number of homes in Bint Jbeil and targeted residential areas along the Kounine–Saff al-Hawa road with heavy machine gun fire, according to Al Jazeera.
Campaigners fear deeper diplomatic contacts are undermining demands for improvements in human rights The Taliban in Afghanistan have launched a diplomatic effort to end their isolation as major regional and international powers show a readiness to engage more closely with the repressive regime despite its systematic human rights abuses. Five years after the Taliban took power , an increasing number of countries are renewing ties or scaling up diplomatic contacts with the hardline Islamists, who seized power in Kabul in 2021 after 20 years of brutal insurgent warfare. Continue reading...
Libya's Haftar played role in securing US hostage's release, report says Authorities in eastern Libya under military commander Khalifa Haftar helped secure the release of an American missionary held hostage held by an Islamic State affiliate in West Africa's Sahel region, escorting him to freedom through Libya, Reuters reported, citing five sources. Four of the sources said that a deal was brokered, with one saying saying a ransom was paid. However, a senior source in Haftar's forces said they had carried out a military operation in Mali to free the hostage, Kevin Rideout.
New Delhi [India], August 15 (ANI): As India marks its 80th Independence Anniversary, Indian embassies, high commissions, and international partner nations across the globe have rolled out vibrant celebrations, cultural showcases, and high-profile diplomatic gestures.
Siege of West Bank families 'state-backed settler terror', Amnesty official says The ongoing siege of a several Palestinian families in the West Bank “is not an isolated incident”, but “part of an accelerating pattern of state-backed settler terror and forced displacement across the occupied West Bank,” an Amnesty International official said. In a post on X, Erika Guevara Rosas, Amnesty International’s senior director for research, advocacy, policy and campaigns, said the “world must act now to protect Palestinians, end impunity, and hold Israel accountable”. “Three Palestinian families in Qusra have been under siege for days.
Yemeni government says Houthi attack on al-Mokha killed four civilians At least four civilians were killed when Houthis fired six ballistic missiles at the Red Sea port of al-Mokha on Friday, Yemen's internationally recognised government said. The Yemeni armed forces aligned with the government said in a statement that the attack on the port targeted a civilian facility and economic and maritime installations, killing one port security guard, Reuters reported. Two sailors were also missing and eight civilians were wounded, the armed forces said.
Rashida Tlaib rally cancelled after Florida lawmaker calls its 'anti-jew' A South Florida site backed out of hosting a rally with Democratic US Representative Rashida Tlaib, a vocal critic of Israel's government, after complaints by a Democratic state lawmaker in the party's latest flashpoint over its stance on Israel. Tlaib, the first Palestinian American member of Congress, was scheduled to appear on Friday at a rally for three candidates in Florida's upcoming Democratic Party primary. However, The Venue Fort Lauderdale, which was scheduled to host the event, suddenly cancelled it after State Representative Michael Gottlieb, chairman of the Florida Legislative Jewish Caucus, posted a statement on Thursday calling the planned rally an "anti-Jew" gathering.
Hamas likely to elect Gaza political bureau head next week, report says Hamas is expected to hold internal elections in the Gaza Strip next week to choose the head of its political bureau for the territory, Arab48 reported. Ali Al-Amoudi is the most likely candidate to succeed Khalil Al-Hayya, who was elected head of Hamas’s political bureau in July after competing against Khaled Meshaal, Arab48 reported, citing Al-Araby Al-Jadeed newspaper. Al-Amoudi was among the Hamas leaders closest to former political bureau chief Yahya Sinwar, who was assassinated in Rafah in October 2024.
Sanctions can make Iran’s military and nuclear activities costlier and more difficult but cannot bring down the Islamic Republic on their own, former US Treasury official and weapons procurement expert Kerri Bitsoff told Iran International.
Houthi spokesman says 'Saudi warships and mercenaries' targeted Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree has said the rebels “targeted concentrations and weapons belonging to the Saudi enemy”. In a statement carried by Press TV, Saree said the “servicemen targeted warships belonging to its (Riyadh’s) tools and mercenaries in the al-Mokha area, using a large number of ballistic missiles”. “The strike was precise, and the operation resulted in the destruction of the boats and weapons, and the death and injury of dozens among the Saudi enemy's concentrations,” he said, according to the statement.
Hezbollah chief says Israel ‘only understands the language of force’ Hezbollah’s secretary general, Sheikh Naim Qassem, said Israel’s 33-day war against Lebanon in 2006 has proved that “the occupying regime only understands the language of force”, Press TV reported. In a speech on the anniversary of Hezbollah’s “victory” against Israel in the 2006 war, Qassem said the 2006 war began after the capture of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah with the “aim of securing the release of Lebanese abductees from Israeli jails”. He said the abduction of Israeli soldiers took place after all communications and diplomatic efforts failed to secure the release of the Lebanese captives, according to Press TV.
Saudi Arabia condemns attack on UAE tankers in Hormuz Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry has strongly condemned an attack on two tankers belonging to the UAE’s oil giant ADNOC while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement, the ministry said that “the recurrence of these attacks constitutes a dangerous escalation and a direct threat to the security and safety of maritime navigation and global energy supplies. ” #Statement | The Foreign Ministry expresses the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s strongest condemnation and denunciation of the targeting of two tankers belonging to the UAE’s ADNOC while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, in yet another unacceptable recurrence of Iranian attacks… pic.
Oil tanker loading resumes at Iran’s Kharg Island, TankerTrackers says For the first time since late July, an Iranian tanker was seen loading crude at the Kharg Island on Friday, according to maritime tracking service TankerTrackers. A National Iranian Tanker Company Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) was seen loading 2 million barrels of crude at the Azarpad jetty on Kharg Island on 14 August. Iran has continued loading tankers at other terminals, with the country's oil production appearing to be roughly in line with refinery runs, or domestic consumption, suggesting the country may not need to export significant volumes of crude, TankerTrackers said in a post on X.
Three Palestinian injured in firing by Israeli army, settlers Three Palestinians were injured in firing by the Israeli army and settlers in the occupied West Bank on Friday evening, Wafa reported. A Palestinian resident of Beit Fajjar, south of Bethlehem, was wounded when Israeli troops fired live ammunition and concussion bombs at the residents. In the al-Edisa area of Bani Na’im town, east of Hebron, Israeli settlers shot and injured two Palestinians, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS), which treated the injured.
OIC warns of ‘grave risks’ posed by Israel’s West Bank policies The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has warned of the “grave risks” posed by Israeli announcements aimed at annexing West Bank areas. In a statement, the 57-member OIC said: “The Israeli occupation and colonial settlement enterprise, as well as all measures, entities and institutions associated with it, are illegal”. “And all acts emanating from them constitute flagrant violations of international law, relevant resolutions of international legitimacy, and the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice,” the statement added.
Oil climbs over $1 a barrel as expert warns of ‘day of reckoning’ Crude oil futures climbed over $1 a barrel on tanker attacks and a lack of progress on a peace agreement between the US and Iran. Reuters reported that Brent futures settled at $88. 52 a barrel, up $1.
