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White House: Hormuz is open and Iran has not exported oil since the resumption of the embargo

White House: Hormuz is open and Iran has not exported oil since the resumption of the embargo

2026-08-29

Shafaq News – Washington
White House adviser Stephen Miller said on Saturday that the Strait of Hormuz is open to the United States, noting that Iran has not exported any oil through its shores since the resumption of the US embargo last month.

Miller added, according to US media, that “the Iranian naval and air forces, radars and military command structure are finished,” considering that what US President Donald Trump achieved in Iran represents “the greatest military achievement in the history of modern warfare.” Read more…

The biggest oil deal in history: America seizes 65 billion barrels of Venezuela’s reserves

The biggest oil deal in history: America seizes 65 billion barrels of Venezuela’s reserves

2026-08-29

Shafaq News – Washington
Early Saturday, US President Donald Trump announced an unprecedented campaign to seize control of about 20% of Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, relying on the ability of US companies to revive the deteriorating energy sector in this OPEC member country, while providing a new source of crude oil to help lower fuel prices in the United States.

Trump provided few details about the agreement, saying only that the United States had secured a controlling majority stake in more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuela’s proven oil reserves through a partnership with the private sector. Read more…

Hebrew report: The American embargo on Iran is suffocating it from within

Hebrew report: The American embargo on Iran is suffocating it from within

2026-08-29

Shafaq News – Follow-up
An Israeli analytical article painted a bleak picture of the situation inside Iran, arguing that the repercussions of the war, the siege and American sanctions, along with economic deterioration and social tensions, are putting the Islamic Republic in front of one of its most complex crises since its founding.

The article, published on the website of the Yediot Aharonot group, stated that the pressures facing Tehran are no longer limited to external confrontation, but have extended, according to its author, to the economy, the social base of the regime, and confidence in its leadership, coinciding with the continued absence of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei from public appearances. Read more…

Pezeshkian confirms that the sanctions are affecting the Iranian economy.

Pezeshkian confirms that the sanctions are affecting the Iranian economy.

8-29-2026

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian asserted that the US sanctions imposed on his country are damaging the Iranian economy. In an interview with state television on Friday evening, Pezeshkian stated, “Some say that the sanctions have no effect at all. I really don’t know how to respond to these people.” He added, “We are in a state of war, and we must accept the conditions imposed by war.” Read more…

Trump: We are not seeking a meeting with Iran

Trump: We are not seeking a meeting with Iran

2026-08-28

Shafaq News – Washington
US President Donald Trump confirmed on Thursday that he does not want to talk to Iran, saying, “We are not looking to have a meeting or anything.”

Trump added that “the Strait of Hormuz is open and we control it completely,” stressing that it has been “completely cleared of mines and millions of barrels of oil pass through it daily,” noting that what the United States is doing regarding Iran “does not mean that we have abandoned the military aspect .” Read more…

Trump places the Strait of Hormuz within US territory.

Trump places the Strait of Hormuz within US territory.

2026-08-28

Shafaq News – Washington
US President Donald Trump has placed the Strait of Hormuz on a list of US territories, in a new post on the Truth Social platform, alongside Puerto Rico, Guam and other areas under US sovereignty.

It is worth noting that Trump published, on August 18, a map identifying the location of the Strait of Hormuz and bearing the phrase “New American Territory”. Read more…

US official: Memorandum of Understanding with Iran is no longer important

US official: Memorandum of Understanding with Iran is no longer important

2026-08-28

Shafaq News – Washington
A US official said on Friday that the memorandum of understanding with Iran was no longer important to Washington, after US forces took control of the Strait of Hormuz.

The American website Axios quoted the official as saying: “We are not paying attention to Iran’s negotiations with the Omani side regarding the Strait of Hormuz.”

The official added: “We have turned the tables in the Strait of Hormuz, and our control over it will give Read more…

Venezuela is considering leaving OPEC.

Venezuela is considering leaving OPEC.

8-28-2026

Informed sources reported on Friday that Venezuela is seriously considering withdrawing from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). They revealed that this issue was the focus of recent discussions between Venezuelan and American officials, though no official decision has yet been reached. These developments come at a time when Venezuela’s oil influence in global energy markets has clearly diminished, following years of economic sanctions and internal Read more…

Revolutionary Guard: We have agreed with Oman on the two parties’ shares of the Strait of Hormuz revenues.

Revolutionary Guard: We have agreed with Oman on the two parties’ shares of the Strait of Hormuz revenues.

8-26-2026

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps ( IRGC) confirmed on Wednesday that it has reached an agreement with the Sultanate of Oman regarding each party’s share of the revenues from the Strait of Hormuz.
IRGC spokesman Brigadier General Hossein Mohebi stated in a statement carried by the Al-Maalomah news agency: “If the United States does not accept our conditions, the Strait of Hormuz will not be opened under any circumstances.”
He added, “The Strait of Hormuz is under our control, and there are no enemy warships in the Gulf.” Read more…

20 Iranian tankers stranded off Sri Lanka

20 Iranian tankers stranded off Sri Lanka

2026-08-26

Shafaq News – Follow-up
Around 20 Iranian oil tankers are stranded off the coast of Sri Lanka, unable to return to Iranian ports, due to the US naval blockade imposed on shipping to and from Iran.

Ship tracking data showed 13 Iranian-flagged tankers near the outer borders of Sri Lankan territorial waters, along with tankers linked to what is known as the “shadow fleet” used by Tehran to circumvent sanctions. Read more…

Oil companies avoid ships on Iran’s blacklist

Oil companies avoid ships on Iran’s blacklist

2026-08-26

Shafaq News – Follow-up
Informed sources revealed that at least three Indian oil refiners and a major global energy company intend to avoid using vessels listed on Iran’s new blacklist, including ship-to-ship oil transfers, for fear of being subjected to Iranian measures or security risks in the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Reuters, the sources said that the companies took this approach due to security concerns, while other companies are studying the Iranian warning and waiting to see how it will be Read more…

Washington threatens to use “military force” in the Strait of Hormuz

Washington threatens to use “military force” in the Strait of Hormuz

2026-08-25

Shafaq News – Washington
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday threatened to use military force in the Strait of Hormuz, or anywhere else, in a reference to Iranian territory.

Hegseth added, “We know that Iran cannot withstand the pressure and its economy is in a downward spiral.”

The US Secretary of State pointed out that “Iran knows that we control the Strait of Hormuz and that our blockade Read more…

Pakistani Interior Minister: We have made significant progress in talks with the Iranian leadership.

Pakistani Interior Minister: We have made significant progress in talks with the Iranian leadership.

8-25-2026

Pakistan’s Interior Minister said on Tuesday, at the conclusion of a visit to Iran, that the two countries had made “significant progress” in talks focused on the US-Israeli war on the Islamic Republic and a path towards peace. A statement issued by the Pakistani army regarding the meeting held between Army Chief Asim Munir and the Iranian leadership stated that the talks between the two sides focused on measures to prevent further escalation, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and end the conflict as quickly as possible. Read more…

Tehran: We have not received an official invitation to join the Mecca Agreement.

Tehran: We have not received an official invitation to join the Mecca Agreement.

8-24-2026

Tehran denied receiving an invitation to join the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, signed between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei confirmed at a press conference: “We have not received an official invitation, but proposals have been made to hold talks with these countries for the sake of collective security in the region.”

My statement came hours after statements by Mehdi Rahimi, head of the Iranian parliament’s “Khaneh Mellat” news agency, who said that “Iran has received an invitation to join the Mecca Agreement, and the matter is under review and evaluation in Tehran,” Read more…

The dollar hits the 200,000 toman mark in Iran, its lowest level in history.

The dollar hits the 200,000 toman mark in Iran, its lowest level in history.

2026-08-23

Shafaq News – Tehran
On Sunday, the US dollar approached the 200,000 toman mark in the Iranian free market, recording a new historical level, amid accelerating demand for foreign currencies and escalating fears of a new US sanctions package, at a time when the Iranian economy is suffering from the repercussions of war, inflation and declining hard currency revenues.

Data from the Iranian Gold and Currency Information Network (TGJU) showed the dollar trading near Read more…

Outperforming Bolt: Chinese robot breaks world record in 100m race

Outperforming Bolt: Chinese robot breaks world record in 100m race

2026-08-22

Shafaq News – Beijing
A Chinese humanoid robot broke the human world record in the 100-meter race, covering the distance in 9.32 seconds, surpassing the record held by Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt.

China’s state broadcaster reported on Saturday that the “Lightning” robot, developed by Chinese smartphone maker Honor, achieved this time during a preparatory test for the second World Games of Humanoid Robots, which kicks off today. Read more…

The war severs a vital trade artery between Iran and the UAE, putting billions of dollars to the test in the Strait of Hormuz.

The war severs a vital trade artery between Iran and the UAE, putting billions of dollars to the test in the Strait of Hormuz.

2026-08-22

Shafaq News – Special Translation
The war and escalating tensions in the Gulf have pushed economic relations between Iran and the UAE into one of their most difficult phases, after Abu Dhabi announced the suspension of all trade and financial transactions with Tehran until further notice, in a move that could hit one of the most important arteries on which the Iranian economy has relied throughout the years of sanctions.

The UAE decision came after the UAE Ministry of Defense announced on Tuesday evening, August 18, 2026, that Read more…

New US sanctions on Iran target 21 individuals, 16 companies, and 10 ships.

New US sanctions on Iran target 21 individuals, 16 companies, and 10 ships.

2026-08-21

Shafaq News – Washington
The US Treasury Department announced on Thursday evening a new package of Iran-related sanctions targeting individuals, entities and ships, as part of Washington’s intensified pressure on Tehran and networks linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and Hezbollah.

According to the announced data, the measures include 21 people, 16 companies and 10 ships, in addition to sanctions on Read more…

Russia confirms openness to new peace proposals with Ukraine, but with conditions.

Russia confirms openness to new peace proposals with Ukraine, but with conditions.

2026-08-21

Shafaq News – Moscow
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov announced on Friday that Moscow is ready to discuss any new proposals for resolving the conflict with Ukraine.

In an interview with the news website News.ru, Ryabkov said that the United States had shown a willingness “for constructive dialogue and understanding of Russia’s position,” and that his country was ready to listen to new proposals on how to reach a settlement Read more…

The US Treasury threatens Iran with “the greatest economic isolation in history”.

The US Treasury threatens Iran with “the greatest economic isolation in history”.

2026-08-20

Shafaq News – Washington
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bissett asserted on Thursday that Iran’s economic isolation would be “the greatest in history,” as he put it.

Bisent continued, in press statements followed by Shafaq News Agency: “It is time for allies and the rest of the world to stop dealing with the Iranian regime.” Read more…