TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s Minister of Culture highlighted the coordination between diplomacy and resistance, citing Hezbollah Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem’s remarks on the role of the Islamabad memorandum of understanding in restraining an Israeli attack on Lebanon.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi ridiculed US President Donald Trump’s threat to declare the Strait of Hormuz a US territory, stressing that the strategic waterway can only be opened or closed under Iran’s command.
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.
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.
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.
Araghchi says talks with Oman about Strait of Hormuz ‘may reach conclusion soon’ Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that negotiations between Iran and Oman “may reach a conclusion soon,” Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA) reported. Araghchi said the talks with Oman regarding the shared management of the Strait of Hormuz between the two countries “are ongoing, but this is a completely separate discussion” from ceasefire talks with the United States. He added that “a technical discussion related to determining the maritime routes of the Strait of Hormuz for ship traffic” is continuing.
Iran's deputy foreign minister says won't be intimidated by US threats after Trump's statements on Hormuz Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said early Saturday that Tehran would not be intimidated by threats or a show of force by Washington after US President Donald Trump said he would declare the Strait of Hormuz a US territory. Commenting on Trump's statements, Gharibabadi said in a post on X that the strategic waterway would only be opened or closed under Iran's authority. ترامپ گفته بعد از شکست ایران، بزودی تنگه هرمز را قلمرو آمریکا اعلام خواهد کرد!
Iran has not decided on resuming US talks, ISNA citing foreign minister Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said no decision has yet been made to resume negotiations with the United States, the Iranian Student News Agency reported. Araghchi added that mediator Qatar and Pakistan were in contact with Iran and exchanging messages, but that this did not amount to negotiations.
Republicans risk losing younger voters unless living standards improve, the vice president has said The US Republican Party must address the economic pressures facing Americans or risk driving more young people toward socialism, Vice President J. D. Vance has said.
Tehran [Iran], August 15 (ANI): Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi on Friday rejected US President Donald Trump's remarks that he would declare the Strait of Hormuz 'a territory of the United States' after defeating Iran, saying the strategic waterway 'cannot be seized by tweet' or military force.
Vance says low oil prices are top US goal in Iran conflict Vice President JD Vance said on Thursday that the top US priority in the Iran war was keeping oil and gasoline prices low for Americans, with preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon ranking second. The remarks contrasted with President Donald Trump's repeated framing of the fight: that entering the war had the sole objective of preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, even if that meant short-term economic sacrifices for Americans. Vance's comments also underscored the growing reality that the war now centres on control of the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has forced to the top of the negotiating agenda.
President Donald Trump said he may soon declare the Strait of Hormuz US territory as shipping through the waterway nearly stopped and Tehran insisted it alone would decide when the strait opens or closes.
Seriousness of remark made in New York on Friday, and whether it signaled new policy position, not clear Donald Trump has threatened to declare the strait of Hormuz as “a territory of the United States” as his administration struggles to conclude the war with Iran. During a speech at a police academy on Long Island, New York, on Friday, the US president said he would “pretty soon” designate the waterway – a crucial chokepoint for global trade, through which about a fifth of the world’s seaborne oil supplies typically pass – a US territory. Continue reading...
Trump says he will 'soon' declare Hormuz strait US territory President Donald Trump on Friday said he would "soon" declare the Strait of Hormuz waterway part of US territory after defeating Iran. "After we finish defeating Iran, which is being very badly defeated - pretty soon I'll be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States," he said with a chuckle during a political rally at a police academy in New York state. "It's true," he added.
The aborted move in Kerman Province revived one of the most politically explosive questions in Iran: how to curb gasoline consumption without repeating the upheaval that followed the last major nationwide price increase in 2019.
New Delhi [India], August 14 (ANI): Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Friday stepped forward to back Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his recent comments, asserting that the senior party figure simply voiced what he observed. The Congress leader maintained that the situation has drawn widespread attention and that the opposition leader holds no personal animosity or intent to demean individuals.
Pro-Israel Emirati influencers mocked for claims of Islamic plot to take over West Why are Emirati influencers warning of an Islamic plot to take over Britain and the west? It is one of the most curious developments of recent times: the rise of young men and women from the United Arab Emirates talking to British journalists and think tanks about the purported threat of the Muslim Brotherhood. Now, however, these influencers are being strongly criticised - and even mocked and taunted - over a series of videos.
New Delhi [India], August 14 (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has on Friday strongly criticised Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over his 'petty and condemnable' remarks concerning Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India's foreign policy. Singh said such conduct was unacceptable from the Leader of Opposition.
Pro-Israel Emirati influencers mocked for claims of Islamic plot to take over West Submitted by Imran Mulla on Fri, 08/14/2026 - 11:13 Young Emiratis are making videos warning of the purported threat of the Muslim Brotherhood in the UK and western world Rauda Altenaiji, an Emirati influencer, speaking in an interview in Britain with Jonathan Sacerdoti (Screengrab/X) Off Why are Emirati influencers warning of an Islamic plot to take over Britain and the west? It is one of the most curious developments of recent times: the rise of young men and women from the United Arab Emirates talking to British journalists and think tanks about the purported threat of the Muslim Brotherhood. Now, however, these influencers are being strongly criticised - and even mocked and taunted - over a series of videos.
