Washington, DC [US], August 10 (ANI): The US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Monday (local time) said that US naval forces have redirected 55 commercial vessels as part of efforts to enforce the US blockade against Iran. In a post on X, CENTCOM said, 'US Sailors stand watch on the bridge of USS Ross (DDG 71). Ross is one of over 20 U.
Soaring food prices are reshaping what Iranian families eat, with new figures showing a steep decline in dairy consumption alongside a longer retreat from red meat as household purchasing power erodes.
Washington, DC [US], August 9 (ANI): US President Donald Trump appears to be seeking an exit route from the military confrontation with Iran, as the ongoing conflict proves increasingly complex to resolve, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. The report indicates that the US administration may be prepared to set aside the nuclear issue and declare victory if Tehran fully reopens the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is Iran’s best leverage to get Washington to release Iran’s frozen assets, lift economic sanctions and end its naval blockade.
Fleet of 56 tankers shipping oil through Hormuz 'covertly', tracking firm says A fleet of at least 56 is currently conducting "covert ship-to-ship transfer" of oil from Gulf countries, according to TankerTrackers. com, which tracks oil shipments. The firm said the fleet of "visually identified tankers is currently operating in digital darkness to support oil exports from Arab nations neighbouring Iran" “These vessels transit the Strait of Hormuz to conduct covert ship-to-ship (STS) transfers in the Gulf of Oman,” it said, adding that this helps “ensure that you can still afford to enjoy your summer holiday, even if it is only a day trip”.
Washington, DC [US], August 9 (ANI): US Central Command (US CENTCOM) on Saturday (local time) said it has redirected 53 commercial vessels, disabled and boarded two each as part of the 'blockade against Iran'. The central command added that over 30 ships were allowed passage for humanitarian aid, while sailors maintain F/A-18E Super Hornets aboard USS Abraham Lincoln to keep the strike group mission ready.
Iran sets conditions for reopening Strait of Hormuz Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, has outlined Tehran’s conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement carried by Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB, Zolghadr said Washington must “correct its behaviour” by: Ending threats against Iran and its “sacred values” Permanently halting military action against Iran and its regional allies Withdrawing US naval and air forces involved in the blockade of Iran Compensating Iran for damage inflicted during the recent conflict Lifting US sanctions Releasing frozen Iranian assets “The Supreme National Security Council will not retreat from these demands, whether in war or in negotiations,” Zolghadr said.
Washington, DC [US], August 8 (ANI): The US Senate on Friday passed a bipartisan bill that could authorise President Donald Trump to levy tariffs of up to 100% on goods from countries, including India and China, that continue importing Russian oil and gas, maintaining that such trade helps sustain Moscow's economy and fund its military operations in Ukraine.
Malaysia seizes container suspected of carrying goods bound for Israel Submitted by MEE staff on Sat, 08/08/2026 - 12:50 The seizure comes as Kuala Lumpur enforces restrictions on exports to Israel and fulfils its commitments under The Hague Group A Singapore Police Coast Guard boat patrols the Johor Strait near Pasir Gudang, Malaysia, on 5 October 2019 (Roslan Rahman/AFP) Off Malaysian authorities seized a container at the Port of Tanjung Pelepas in Johor, suspected of carrying merchandise intended for export to Israel, local media reported. The container was seized Friday by the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) following intelligence received by authorities, which prompted an inspection, according to the report. AKPS said preliminary checks indicated that the shipment may violate customs law, which prohibits the direct or indirect export of goods to Israel.
New Delhi [India], August 8 (ANI): The fresh threat of 100 per cent US tariffs on countries buying Russian oil could put significant pressure on the Indian economy, particularly through higher crude prices, inflation and a widening current account deficit, Sachin Gupta, Chief Ratings Officer at CareEdge Ratings, said.
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], August 8 (ANI): Foreign Affairs experts have suggested that India begin strategic de-risking from the United States, asserting that mounting economic tensions in the wake of the US Senate passing the Russia sanctions bill could signal a permanent shift in bilateral relations rather than a temporary hurdle.
Washington DC [US], August 8 (ANI): The US Senate has passed Russia Sanctions Bill that carries the name of late Senator Lindsey Graham that could impose upto a 100% tariff on the top five countries, including China and India, that purchase Russian crude oil and natural gas. The bill was passed through the Senate on bipartisan vote, 86 to 11.
Oman 'facing environmental disaster' as tanker leaks off its coast Oman is facing an impending environmental catastrophe as an alleged Russian shadow fleet tanker leaks oil across hundreds of square kilometres near a nature reserve, NGOs warn. The ship was rocked by explosions, a maritime security firm told AFP, but the cause of the blasts is unclear. Russia has built up a ghost fleet of old ships with opaque ownership to get around Western sanctions since its 2022 Ukraine invasion, and experts have said the vessels' poor condition increases the risk of oil spills.
Kpler: Hormuz traffic subdued, surges 18 percent through Bab el-Mandeb Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained subdued on 7 August, with eight confirmed crossings, down 33% from the previous day, according to maritime traffic tracking firm Kpler. Traffic through Bab el-Mandeb moved in the opposite direction, rising 18 percent to 26 confirmed crossings, including three dark transits. Most vessels used Iran’s Unilateral Scheme, Kpler said, and added that the International Maritime Organisation confirmed no additional vessel attacks.
Washington DC [US], August 8 (ANI): The United States on Friday (local time) announced sanctions against six entities and one individual linked to what it described as Iran's illicit digital asset network, saying the measures were imposed following Iran's attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week.
US says it has redirected 51 vessels since reinstating Iran blockade United States Central Command (Centcom) said in a post on X that it has redirected 51 commercial vessels, disabled two, and boarded two others since it reinstated a naval blockade of Iran on 14 July. A U. S.
The United States imposed fresh sanctions targeting Iran’s financial networks Friday even as US officials said progress had been made toward a deal with Tehran over the Strait of Hormuz and it could be clinched as early as the weekend.
The legislation will give President Trump the power to apply 100% tariffs on countries buying Russian oil The US Senate has approved a bill allowing President Donald Trump to impose 100% tariffs on the largest purchasers of Russian oil and gas. The bill was the brainchild of Senator Lindsey Graham, who tried multiple times to pass it before he died last month.
US Treasury targets crypto exchanges in new Iran sanctions The United States on Friday sanctioned an unlicensed multi-state cryptocurrency exchange, alleging it processed millions of dollars of crypto for Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other groups linked to the Iranian state. The designation follows a Reuters investigation published on 31 July that identified the Dubai-based exchange, Shelbit, as the hub of a $4 billion Iranian sanctions evasion scheme. The investigation found that Shelbit moved crypto on behalf of Iran’s central bank, one of the world’s largest illegal online gambling networks, and to addresses linked by the Israeli government to the IRGC.
Washington DC [US], August 7 (ANI): The United States imposed sanctions on five Cuban entities and eight individuals accused of facilitating military procurement and foreign military cooperation for the Cuban government, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio alleging that Havana poses a threat to American national security. Cuba, however, condemned the move as part of Washington's 'hostile policy of harassment'.
