Allegations by Iran’s Intelligence Ministry that two French diplomats briefly detained in Tehran last month were involved in espionage are “completely false,” a French diplomatic source told Iran International.
Turkey condemns Israeli air strikes on Syrian base Turkey has strongly condemned Israeli air strikes on the Abu al-Duhur air base in northwestern Syria, and called on the international community to ensure Israel is held accountable for actions which violated international laws. "We call on the international community to take a more decisive stance to end Israel's escalating aggression against Syria," the ministry said in a statement.
Trump says no talks are taking place with Iran US President Donald Trump said there were no conversations taking place with Iran, and none were scheduled, adding that the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz remained in full force and effect.
Saudi Arabia tightens rules on financial transfers to UAE Submitted by MEE staff on Tue, 08/18/2026 - 13:49 Move appears to be latest sign of rising tensions between two Gulf nations Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bidding farewell to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on 3 September 2025 (Abdulla al-Bedwawi/AFP) Off Saudi Arabia has tightened its oversight of financial transfers to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the latest sign of growing tensions between the two countries. The extra layers of regulatory oversight are normally reserved for countries considered high-risk for illicit money flows, according to Reuters. Three people with direct knowledge of the matter told the news agency that the measures, which have not been announced publicly, put the UAE among more than a half dozen countries in the region deemed high risk in Saudi Arabia for financial crime.
Fear grows among Egyptians in UAE over residency cancellations, report says Submitted by Alex MacDonald on Tue, 08/18/2026 - 10:34 Workers say permits were cancelled without explanation while they were on leave in Egypt, though no official policy change has been announced Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi receives UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan (L) upon his arrival at Cairo International Airport, 15 June 2026 (Hamad al-Kaabi/AFP) Off Egyptians in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) face fears over their long-term residency in the country after a number of nationals had their permits cancelled earlier this month. Several Egyptians living and working in the UAE have reported that their residency permits were unexpectedly revoked, leaving them unable to return to their jobs. Posts shared online also suggest that a new Police Clearance Certificate requirement for Egyptian work permits may be complicating plans to change jobs or travel to Egypt, even though no official change in UAE residency rules for Egyptian nationals has been announced.
Tehran [Iran], August 18 (ANI): Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday accused Israel of actively sabotaging diplomacy, calling the country 'the biggest opponent and obstacle' to the implementation of a ceasefire understanding with the US, Iranian news agency ISNA reported.
Qatar says Hormuz agreement crucial for US-Iran talks to resume Qatar has said that an agreement between Iran and Oman over the Strait of Hormuz would make it easier to resume negotiations to end the Iran war. Iran and Oman, both coastal states bordering the Strait of Hormuz, have for weeks been discussing the future of navigation through the waterway, with Tehran saying the geographical coordinates of the route envisaged by both countries "have been agreed upon". "We are also awaiting an agreement between the Sultanate of Oman and Iran regarding the Strait, which would enable us to return to the framework of negotiations," Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari told reporters.
New energy routes would take years to build and come at a heavy cost, IRGC adviser Mohammad Reza Naqdi has told RT The Strait of Hormuz will remain indispensable to global energy trade despite efforts by Persian Gulf states to develop alternative export routes, a top Iranian military advisor has told RT.
New energy routes would take years to build and come at a heavy cost, IRGC adviser Mohammad Reza Naqdi has told RT The Strait of Hormuz will remain indispensable to global energy trade despite efforts by Persian Gulf states to develop alternative export routes, a top Iranian military advisor has told RT.
Trump labels Strait of Hormuz ‘US territory’ as Iran says Israel is biggest obstacle to negotiations Submitted by Elis Gjevori on Tue, 08/18/2026 - 13:21 Tehran says the waterway will remain closed until Washington lifts its blockade and fulfils an interim agreement On 15 August 2026, Iran rejected the US president’s threat to declare the Strait of Hormuz part of US territory, saying the crucial energy waterway it has blockaded 'will remain Iranian'. (AFP) Off US President Donald Trump has claimed the Strait of Hormuz as American territory as his frustration mounts over a war with Iran that has resisted his demands and dragged global shipping into crisis. Trump posted a map of the strategic waterway on Truth Social on Tuesday bearing the caption “New US Territory”.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The perception of Iran as a weak country has been completely dispelled, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said, arguing that Tehran’s post-war foreign policy will be fundamentally different from the period before the conflict.
Trump posts map labelling Strait of Hormuz as 'new US territory' US President Donald Trump has posted an image on social media labelling the Strait of Hormuz as "NEW U. S. Territory".
The country's Central Energy Fund projects diesel hikes of up to $0.
At least 17 commercial sailors have been killed in and around Iranian and Omani waters since March. Six months into the conflict, the vital waterway remains exceptionally dangerous.
Israeli soldiers number Palestinian detainees on their foreheads Submitted by MEE staff on Tue, 08/18/2026 - 11:01 Troops round up Palestinian residents near Qabatiya and mark them with numbers before interrogating them Ahmad al-Hathnawi speaks to local media about being marked with numbers by Israeli soldiers during a military raid in Qabatiya in the occupied West Bank on 17 August 2026 (Screengrab/@qudsn/X) Off Israeli soldiers marked Palestinian detainees with numbers on their foreheads and arms during a raid in the occupied West Bank on Monday. During the raid on Qabatiya, near Jenin, Israeli forces rounded up dozens of Palestinian residents, several of whom were marked with numbers on their foreheads and arms. Ahmad al-Hathnawi, who was marked with the number 44 on his forehead, said at least 50 people were detained, including women.
Canada has deported a former Iranian Interior Ministry spokesman who served during the deadly crackdown on nationwide protests in November 2019, Global News reported.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi warned US President Donald Trump that his claim regarding the Strait of Hormuz will either be corrected or face a response from Iran.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Commemoration ceremonies for the fortieth day after the burial of martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei will be held in Tehran, Qom, and Mashhad this week.
Amid ongoing deadly hostilities in Gaza, the enclave’s farmers face the increasingly difficult challenge of finding safe land to grow their crops.
Around 860,000 people displaced by the conflict in southern Lebanon have returned, but the displacement and humanitarian crisis are “far from over,” the UN warned on Tuesday.
