Trump says the US has swept Strait of Hormuz for mines US President Donald Trump said on Monday that the United States controls the Strait of Hormuz and had swept the strategic oil waterway for Iranian mines. "Look, the only one that has control of the Strait of Hormuz right now is the United States Navy," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. "We've mine-swept the entire strait.
Gaza 'Board of Peace' official says plan is still operative US President Donald Trump's Gaza plan is still operative, and discussions with Israel are continuing, a "Board of Peace" official said on Monday after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected an Israeli withdrawal until Hamas is "genuinely disarmed. " Netanyahu on Sunday restated his rejection of the Gaza plan in televised remarks to his right-wing government. "The plan is very much still operative and advancing," the official told Reuters.
The Caspian gamble: Iran-Ukraine tensions widen the 'geography of instability' Nima Moradi was a 23-year-old sailor on his maiden voyage aboard Anna, a commercial ship in the Caspian Sea, carrying iron from Russia to Iran . He was from the port city of Bandar Anzali in northern Iran and had dreamed of becoming a mariner since he was a child. The boat he was travelling on was hit by a Ukrainian long-range drone on 25 July - Moradi was killed in the attack, and another crew member was wounded.
Dubai ruler confronted in London over UAE involvement in Sudan war Submitted by Oscar Rickett on Mon, 08/10/2026 - 14:22 Member of Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum's entourage calls Sudanese man a 'Black bitch' UAE Vice President and ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum attends the Dubai World Cup horse race in Dubai on 28 March 2026 (AFP) Off The ruler of Dubai and prime minister of the UAE has been confronted on the streets of central London over his country's involvement in the Sudan war . A video posted on Sunday shows a Sudanese man shouting at Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum and his entourage as they walk through the affluent Knightsbridge area. “Emiratis and UAE, they’re killing Sudanese people,” the man shouts from across the road at the ruler of Dubai and the group he is with.
Why the Mecca Agreement is a necessary show of force Submitted by David Hearst on Mon, 08/10/2026 - 09:09 American weakness has prompted this reshaping of the Middle East order, with the three biggest regional powers choosing to break the cycle of colonial domination by Israel Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif after signing a joint defence agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, 7 August 2026 (Reuters) On It will be three years in October since Israe l started its genocide in Gaza , a war crime it has repeated in the Occupied West Bank , South Lebanon , and Iran . For much of that time, Turkey and the Arab world held up their hands in horror but did nothing. "What can we do?
The Caspian gamble: Iran-Ukraine tensions widen the 'geography of instability' Submitted by Amara Sophia Elahi on Mon, 08/10/2026 - 10:29 A deadly Ukrainian strike on an Iranian ship in the Caspian Sea last month risks opening a new front in the war on Iran – one that could benefit Israel Vessels transiting through the Gulf of Oman are pictured off the coast of Muscat on 25 July 2026 (AFP) Off Nima Moradi was a 23-year-old sailor on his maiden voyage aboard Anna, a commercial ship in the Caspian Sea, carrying iron from Russia to Iran . He was from the port city of Bandar Anzali in northern Iran and had dreamed of becoming a mariner since he was a child. The boat he was travelling on was hit by a Ukrainian long-range drone on 25 July - Moradi was killed in the attack, and another crew member was wounded.
Video: Yemen's Houthis attack port in Mocha Smoke billowed from the port city of Mocha, Yemen, after a Houthi attack that killed 11 people on Sunday. It followed an earlier drone attack on a Saudi oil refinery on the coast of the Red Sea Smoke billowed from the port city of Mocha, Yemen, after a Houthi attack that killed 11 people on Sunday. It followed an earlier drone attack on a Saudi oil refinery on the coast of the Red Sea pic.
UN expresses 'deep concern' about Houthi attacks Hans Grundberg, the UN special envoy for Yemen, has expressed "deep concerns" about Yemen's Houthis' attacks on the Red Sea port of Mocha, which killed at least seven people and wounded 30 others, including some civilians. He called on all parties to "exercise maximum restraint", and said the conflict could only "end sustainably through an inclusive political process". I am deeply concerned by the recent attacks by Ansar Allah on Mokha, which reportedly resulted in civilian and military casualties and caused damage to infrastructure, including at the port.
Syria reclaims control of key coastal sites in deal with Russia Submitted by Reem Aouir on Mon, 08/10/2026 - 04:04 Deal gives Damascus control of civilian facilities at Tartus and Hmeimim, while Russian military sites are converted into joint training centres Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani and his delegation tour Latakia International Airport and the port of Tartus, on 9 August 2026 (Syrian Foreign Ministry/Telegram) Off Syria and Russia have reached a memorandum of understanding to scale back Moscow's military presence on Syria's Mediterranean coast, ending 18 months of negotiations over the future of the Hmeimim airbase and Tartus naval facility. The Syrian foreign ministry announced the deal on Sunday, describing it as the outcome of "a year and a half of negotiations and intensive discussions led by the ministry". Under the terms of the agreement, the Syrian state will take over management of civilian facilities at both sites, including Hmeimim airport and Tartus's fourth commercial pier, gradually folding them into civil administration, according to key points of the memorandum shared by the state news agency Sana.
Israeli strike causes 'major explosion' in south Lebanon, state media reports The Israeli military has caused a "major explosion" in the municipality of Zaoutar el-Charkiya in south Lebanon, state media agency NNA reported. It also said Israel had shot machine gun rounds towards Wadi Slouki at dawn on Monday. NNA says the Israeli military attacked the village of Mansouri with artillery strikes during the night, as well as the settlement of Bani Hayyan.
Israeli general says Gaza should remain ‘destroyed for generations’ A former head of Israel’s National Security Council has called for Gaza to remain devastated for decades, openly presenting Palestinian despair and destruction as desirable outcomes after Israel’s genocide in the enclave. Retired Major General Giora Eiland told Israel’s 103FM radio station on Sunday that rebuilding Gaza would run against Israeli interests. “Israel has no interest in Gaza being rebuilt, it is better for us that it be destroyed for generations to come,” Eiland said.
Morning update Good morning Middle East Eye readers, Here are the latest developments from across the region: Israel will not have to withdraw its forces from Gaza until Palestinian groups surrender their weapons under the Board of Peace’s plan, its senior envoy has said contradicting his earlier position stating that it did. Speaking to Israel’s Channel 12, Nikolay Mladenov said any withdrawal would follow the verified decommissioning of weapons. Israel has rejected US President Donald Trump's 15-point plan for Gaza and will not withdraw until Hamas fully disarms, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday.
Houthi attack on Mocha kills seven, Yemeni military says The Yemeni military said early on Monday that a Houthi attack on the Red Sea port city of Mocha killed seven people, including military personnel and civilians, and wounded 30 others. The military added that air defences intercepted and shot down 11 Houthi drones that participated in the attack.
Report: Tensions deepening between US, Israel Tensions between Israel and the US is growing amid Washington's efforts to wind down fighting in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran, according to the Israeli Channel 13 reported. That US Central Command (CENTCOM) chief Brad Cooper conveyed the message of Washington wanting to shift toward "closing the three fronts" during a visit to Israel over the weekend, the broadcaster indicated citing a military source.
Lebanon will not take part in next talks with Israel unless demands met: Report Lebanon will not take part in the next round of talks with Israel that are scheduled for early September unless its conditions are met, L’Orient-Le Jour reported citing a source close to the Lebanese delegation's leadership. According to the report, the specific date of the discussions have not been finalised as Beirut has its participation conditional on Israel accepting its demands. "There will be no new negotiations unless Israel accepts Lebanon's conditions, which also include a full cease-fire and an end to the destruction and earthworks being carried out by the Israeli army," the source told the daily.
Israeli attacks in south Lebanon continue, despite truce talks The Israeli army has continued to launch attacks in southern Lebanon, the state-run National News Agency (NNA)reported. This includes artillery shelling in the town of Mansouri and Nabatieh al-Fawqa as well as a "large bombing" in the town of Kfar Tebnit.
Israel rejects Trump's 15-point plan for Gaza, says Netanyahu Israel has rejected US President Donald Trump's 15-point plan for Gaza and will not withdraw until Hamas fully disarms, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday. The Board of Peace, spearheaded by Trump, announced last month that it had made a breakthrough in a plan to end the war. Israel and Hamas agreed to the plan last year, beginning with a ceasefire.
Board of Peace envoy says Israel not required to withdraw from Gaza Israel will not have to withdraw its forces from Gaza until Palestinian groups surrender their weapons under the Board of Peace’s plan, its senior envoy has said contradicting his earlier position stating that it did. Speaking to Israel’s Channel 12, Nikolay Mladenov said any withdrawal would follow the verified decommissioning of weapons. “Nobody is required to do anything.
Israeli pilot trainee dies by suicide at military base An Israeli Air Force pilot trainee died by suicide at a military base in southern Israel on Sunday. At least 18 active-duty Israeli soldiers have died by suicide since the start of 2026, according to data compiled by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
Israeli general says Gaza should remain ‘destroyed for generations’ Submitted by Elis Gjevori on Sun, 08/09/2026 - 21:14 Giora Eiland says Palestinian despair serves Israel and demands permanent control beyond the Yellow Line Palestinian residential salvage what they can from an apartment targeted in overnight Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City on August 2, 2026. (Omar Al Qattaa/AFP) Off A former head of Israel’s National Security Council has called for Gaza to remain devastated for decades, openly presenting Palestinian despair and destruction as desirable outcomes after Israel’s genocide in the enclave. Retired Major General Giora Eiland told Israel’s 103FM radio station on Sunday that rebuilding Gaza would run against Israeli interests.
