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US warnings in Iraq and the Gulf… and Trump abruptly cuts short his vacation

US warnings in Iraq and the Gulf… and Trump abruptly cuts short his vacation

2026-09-20

Shafaq News – Washington
Early Sunday morning, the US State Department issued a series of simultaneous security alerts through its missions in Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Lebanon, and Jerusalem, urging its citizens to raise their level of vigilance amid fears of a rapid and unexpected escalation of tensions in the Middle East.

The missions said the security environment in the region “remains complex with the potential for unexpected Read more…

US official: Iran’s influence in Hormuz is declining week after week

US official: Iran’s influence in Hormuz is declining week after week

2026-09-19

Shafaq News – Washington
A senior White House official said on Saturday that oil is flowing through the Strait of Hormuz at a rate of between 10 and 11 million barrels per day, noting that Iranian influence over the waterway is shrinking week after week.

The official added, in statements reported by Agence France-Presse, that the alternative routes being put in place by the US Navy to ensure the continuation Read more…

Trump: I will soon make a big decision regarding Iran.

Trump: I will soon make a big decision regarding Iran.

2026-09-18

Shafaq News – Washington
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United States is approaching a “critical turning point” in the Iran war, indicating that a “big decision” is imminent and that large-scale military operations against Iran may have to be resumed.

Trump told Axios that “the decision to eliminate the Iranian regime is a big one Read more…

New US sanctions target Baitbank and three Iranians

New US sanctions target Baitbank and three Iranians

2026-09-18

Shafaq News – Washington
The US Treasury Department announced on Thursday evening that it had imposed sanctions on the Iranian digital asset platform BitBank, its developer, and three individuals, accusing them of facilitating the circumvention of sanctions and the transfer of hundreds of millions of dollars in Bitcoin to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.

The ministry said in a statement that the platform is controlled by Iranian businessman Babak Zanjani, who was Read more…

US Treasury: We provided global banks with data to cut off Iran’s revenue streams

US Treasury: We provided global banks with data to cut off Iran’s revenue streams

2026-09-17

Shafaq News – Washington
The US Treasury Department announced Wednesday evening that it has provided global financial institutions with information to cut off Iran’s revenue sources.

The ministry added, according to media outlets monitored by Shafaq News Agency, that there are meetings with international financial institutions to Read more…

US Energy Secretary: 18 million barrels of oil crossed the Strait of Hormuz yesterday

US Energy Secretary: 18 million barrels of oil crossed the Strait of Hormuz yesterday

2026-09-16

Shafaq News – Washington
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on Wednesday that 18 million barrels of crude oil and refined products passed through the Strait of Hormuz the previous day, while the seven-day average was about 11 million barrels per day.

Wright added, in an interview with Fox Business Network, that an assessment of the damage to the Saudi oil pipeline running from east to west is Read more…

Trump’s deputy: The conflict with Iran will enter a “different phase” within two months.

Trump’s deputy: The conflict with Iran will enter a “different phase” within two months.

2026-09-16

Shafaq News – Washington
US Vice President J.D. Vance said Tuesday evening that the conflict with Iran will enter a “completely different phase” in the next two months, referring to developments related to regional tensions and the confrontation between Washington and Tehran.

Vance added, in an interview with the New York Post, that the Iranian regime “will continue to lose control Read more…

China to Iran: We do not want the tension to spread to the Red Sea

China to Iran: We do not want the tension to spread to the Red Sea

2026-09-16

Shafaq News – Beijing/Tehran
During his meeting with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed his country’s hope that regional tensions would not spread further towards Yemen and the Red Sea.

The Chinese minister, speaking from Beijing, called on “everyone to take effective measures to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.” Read more…

Al-Dhari calls for the closure of Houthi offices in Arab and Islamic countries.

Al-Dhari calls for the closure of Houthi offices in Arab and Islamic countries.

2026-09-16

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Secretary-General of the Iraqi National Project, Jamal al-Dhari, called on Wednesday for a unified and firm Arab and Islamic stance towards the Houthi group, in light of the targeting of Mecca.

Al-Dhari said in a Facebook post, which was reviewed by Shafaq News Agency, that “targeting Mecca, the Qibla of Muslims, is a dangerous escalation that violates the sanctity of the Two Holy Mosques and threatens the security of pilgrims to the Sacred House Read more…

The US embassy in Riyadh raises its warning level.

The US embassy in Riyadh raises its warning level.

2026-09-16

Shafaq News – Follow-up
The US embassy in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, raised its security alert level to level three on Wednesday, warning of the risks of US interests being targeted by Iranian missiles and drones, as well as the risks of armed conflict and terrorism.

The US State Department advised its citizens in Saudi Arabia to reconsider their travel plans to the kingdom, given the existing security threats, stressing that Read more…

Oman Gas: The Strait of Hormuz crisis will end soon

Oman Gas: The Strait of Hormuz crisis will end soon

2026-09-15

Shafaq News – Follow-up
The CEO of Oman LNG, Hamad Al-Nu’mani, stated on Tuesday that the crisis related to the Strait of Hormuz will end soon.

Speaking at a forum in Bangkok, he said the Strait crisis would not change the company’s long-term plans, according to Reuters.

He added, “We were already planning to increase production, and we have been working on it for two years. Read more…

Grossi calls on Iran to resume cooperation with the IAEA

Grossi calls on Iran to resume cooperation with the IAEA

2026-09-14

Shafaq News – Follow-up
The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, called on Iran on Monday to resume cooperation with the agency, stressing that addressing issues related to its nuclear program and achieving confidence and stability will only be accomplished through joint action.

Grossi said: “We are extending our hand to Iran once again to work with us to Read more…

Syria opens the doors to natural uranium: 73 tons under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Syria opens the doors to natural uranium: 73 tons under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

2026-09-14

Shafaq News – Damascus
Syrian Foreign and Expatriates Minister Asaad al-Shaibani confirmed on Monday that Syria has opened the Deir ez-Zor site to the International Atomic Energy Agency, noting that 73 tons of natural uranium are now under the supervision and guarantees of the agency.

Al-Shaibani said, during a speech before the 70th session of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Read more…

Araghchi: We will reveal to Iraq the maps of the new maritime route in Hormuz

Araghchi: We will reveal to Iraq the maps of the new maritime route in Hormuz

2026-09-13

Shafaq News – Tehran
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi confirmed on Sunday that he intends to brief Iraq and the Gulf states during a meeting in Oman on Monday on the details of the new maritime route in the Strait of Hormuz, amid regional moves aimed at regulating navigation and reducing tension in the strategic corridor.

Araghchi said in press statements that the meeting’s agenda will focus on Read more…

Bahrain refuses to participate in the “Strait of Hormuz meeting”: We will not meet with Iran.

Bahrain refuses to participate in the “Strait of Hormuz meeting”: We will not meet with Iran.

2026-09-12

Shafaq News – Manama
The Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Saturday that the Kingdom of Bahrain will not participate in what is being circulated in the media and social media platforms regarding a proposed ministerial meeting on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, and that it will not be a party to any group meeting that includes Iran before Read more…

Financial Times: Ship transit times in Hormuz set under US protection

Financial Times: Ship transit times in Hormuz set under US protection

2026-09-12

Shafaq News – Follow-up
The Financial Times revealed on Saturday that the United States has asked oil tankers crossing the Strait of Hormuz to sail at specific times of day, with the aim of ensuring military protection for them.

The newspaper explained, citing emails it had seen, that the United States has been providing air defense services since May to ships wishing to sail through a route that bypasses Read more…

Details of the first Iranian-Gulf meeting on Hormuz with Iraq’s participation

Details of the first Iranian-Gulf meeting on Hormuz with Iraq’s participation

2026-09-12

Shafaq News – Special Translation
The British website “ Amwaj ” revealed details of the Gulf-Iranian meeting that will be held in Muscat in two days with the participation of Iraq, to ​​officially announce the Iranian-Omani plan to determine the route of ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, an idea that the Iranians say was proposed by Read more…

From Hormuz to Bab al-Mandab: The Houthis threaten the world’s trade and energy lifeline.

From Hormuz to Bab al-Mandab: The Houthis threaten the world’s trade and energy lifeline.

2026-09-12

Shafaq News – Follow-up
Global trade and energy are facing increasing pressure as the Houthis move closer to controlling one of the world’s most important sea lanes, coinciding with disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, putting energy and trade routes between Asia and Europe at risk of disruption and higher shipping and insurance costs.

According to a report by the American newspaper “The New York Times,” the Houthis made rapid field gains this Read more…

Trump: Iran is most likely behind the attack on the East-West pipeline in Saudi Arabia

Trump: Iran is most likely behind the attack on the East-West pipeline in Saudi Arabia

2026-09-12

Shafaq News – Washington
US President Donald Trump suggested on Saturday that Iran was behind the attack on the East-West pipeline in Saudi Arabia, referring to the attack that Riyadh said the pipeline was targeted by drones coming from Iraq.

According to US media, Trump described the Saudi Crown Prince as a “good friend” of his, stressing that “everything will be fine.” Read more…

Reuters: Iran circumvents sanctions through barter with China and purchases of “air defenses”.

Reuters: Iran circumvents sanctions through barter with China and purchases of “air defenses”.

2026-09-10

Shafaq News – Follow-up
Reuters reported on Thursday that Iran has resorted to a barter-like mechanism with China, allowing it to exchange oil for Chinese goods, in an effort to circumvent US sanctions and maintain the flow of imports into the country.

The agency added, quoting sources, that Iranian purchases from China, within the framework of the “oil for goods” mechanism, amounted to Read more…