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Trump: We have complete control of Hormuz

Trump: We have complete control of Hormuz

2026-08-12

Shafaq News – Washington
On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump reaffirmed his country’s complete control over the Strait of Hormuz, while also indicating that Iran is unable to do anything about it.

Trump stated in a post on the Truth Social platform, which was monitored by Shafaq News Agency, that “everyone calls our naval blockade the ‘Wall of Steel,’ and I believe we will maintain this control.” Read more…

Former Mossad chief: Our agents entered Iran’s Fordow facility several times

Former Mossad chief: Our agents entered Iran’s Fordow facility several times

2026-08-11

Shafaq News – Middle East
Former head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, Yossi Cohen, said on Tuesday that agents from the agency had toured Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility several times, without specifying the dates.

Regarding the American strike on Fordow in June 2025, Cohen added: “The bombing of the site by the Americans was the fulfillment of all my dreams,” according to the Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth. Read more…

“3 strategies for dealing with Tehran”… Trump: Iran cannot pay its soldiers’ salaries

“3 strategies for dealing with Tehran”… Trump: Iran cannot pay its soldiers’ salaries

2026-08-11

Shafaq News – Washington
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that the United States controls a large amount of Iranian money and assets, noting that Tehran is facing difficult economic conditions and does not have the ability to borrow.

Trump added, in statements reported by American media, that Washington is considering three strategies for dealing with Iran. The first is to monitor the extent of its deteriorating situation, the second is to launch strong military strikes, while the third is based Read more…

The Syrian judiciary has sentenced Bashar and Maher al-Assad to death and ordered their international prosecution.

The Syrian judiciary has sentenced Bashar and Maher al-Assad to death and ordered their international prosecution.

2026-08-11

Shafaq News – Damascus
A Syrian court on Tuesday sentenced former Syrian President Bashar Hafez al-Assad, his brother Maher al-Assad, and a number of fugitive defendants to death after convicting them of murder, torture, and crimes against humanity, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

Judge Fakhr al-Din al-Aryan, who presided over the trial, said that the court found Bashar al-Assad guilty of the felony of premeditated murder of more than one person and of children, in Read more…

The Washington Post reveals the details of Trump’s secret departure from Türkiye after an Iranian threat.

The Washington Post reveals the details of Trump’s secret departure from Türkiye after an Iranian threat.

2026-08-11

Shafaq News – Washington
The Washington Post has revealed the behind-the-scenes details of US President Donald Trump’s departure from Turkey last month on a secret military plane, contrary to what the White House announced regarding his departure on Air Force One, due to a credible Iranian threat to target him.

The newspaper quoted an American official familiar with the operation as saying that Trump boarded the old Air Force One plane in front of cameras in the capital, Ankara, before being secretly transferred by a catering truck inside the airport to a smaller C-32A military plane, on which Read more…

An Iranian cleric issues a fatwa calling for the killing of women who do not wear the hijab, and the judiciary summons him.

An Iranian cleric issues a fatwa calling for the killing of women who do not wear the hijab, and the judiciary summons him.

2026-08-09

Shafaq News – Tehran
Iranian hardline cleric Mohammad Baqer Kharrazi sparked widespread controversy after calling on his supporters to form groups to take to the streets and violently confront unveiled women, prompting the Iranian judiciary to summon him.

In one of the recordings, Kharrazi, the Secretary-General of “Hezbollah Iran,” called for the formation of a group of 50,000 people in Tehran to issue strong warnings to unveiled women, and then went so far as to call for their killing if they refused, describing this as a “fatwa.” Read more…

First publicly announced activity: Mojtaba Khamenei meets with Pezeshkian

First publicly announced activity: Mojtaba Khamenei meets with Pezeshkian

2026-08-09

Shafaq News – Tehran
The official website of Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei announced on Sunday that he met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in the first official meeting announced by Khamenei since he was named Supreme Leader, succeeding his father Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an American airstrike on February 28, 2016.

The Guide website stated that the meeting coincided with the beginning of Pezeshkian’s third year as president, Read more…

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey sign the “Mecca Agreement” for joint defense.

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey sign the “Mecca Agreement” for joint defense.

2026-08-07

Shafaq News – Riyadh
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey signed the “Mecca Agreement” on Friday for joint defense, which includes confronting any aggression or armed attack on any of the three countries.

According to Saudi and Gulf media, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed the agreement during the trilateral summit of the three countries in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. Read more…

Trump responds to the Washington Post: We are building the largest ammunition factories in American history.

Trump responds to the Washington Post: We are building the largest ammunition factories in American history.

2026-08-06

Shafaq News – Washington
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United States has large quantities of ammunition, asserting that his country is building the largest number of ammunition factories in its history.

Trump added that his administration would seek prison sentences for those who leaked what he called “treasonous statements”.

Earlier today, the White House denied a Washington Post report that said US President Donald Trump was growing Read more…

Two international organizations warn of an “environmental disaster” off the coast of Oman.

Two international organizations warn of an “environmental disaster” off the coast of Oman.

2026-08-06

Shafaq News – Follow-up
Two organizations, one Canadian and one Dutch, warned on Thursday of an “environmental disaster” threatening a marine reserve off the southern coast of Oman, due to an oil spill from a tanker that was attacked more than a month ago.

A maritime security company reported that the tanker was hit by explosions last June, the causes of which were unclear, according to Agence France-Presse.

Satellite images seen by AFP showed a patch consistent with the shape of an oil spill in the vicinity of Oman’s Qibla Read more…

Between Oman and Iran: A new navigation map in the Strait of Hormuz without financial burdens on ships

Between Oman and Iran: A new navigation map in the Strait of Hormuz without financial burdens on ships

2026-08-06

Shafaq News – Follow-up
A high-ranking source revealed on Thursday details of a new proposal to manage maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, coinciding with regional diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing security and military tensions between Washington and Tehran in the region.

Al-Arabiya satellite channel quoted the source as saying that ships entering Hormuz will use the shipping lane closest to Iran, while departing ships will use the shipping lane closest to Oman. Read more…

CENTCOM: The southern route to the Strait of Hormuz is open to commercial vessels.

CENTCOM: The southern route to the Strait of Hormuz is open to commercial vessels.

2026-08-05

Shafaq News – Middle East
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced Tuesday evening that the southern route through the Strait of Hormuz is open to all commercial vessels wishing to cross this international waterway.

The command said in a post on the “X” platform, which was followed by Shafaq News Agency, that during the past three months, US forces provided assistance to more than a thousand ships to successfully cross the strait despite the unjustified Iranian aggression, and these operations are still ongoing to this day. Read more…

An Iranian cleric calls for detonating a nuclear bomb in the Atlantic and flooding America with a “tsunami”.

An Iranian cleric calls for detonating a nuclear bomb in the Atlantic and flooding America with a “tsunami”.

2026-08-05

Shafaq News – Tehran
On Tuesday, Iranian cleric Mohammad Baqer Kharrazi called for his country to acquire a nuclear bomb and use it in the Atlantic Ocean to create massive tsunamis that would reach the American coast.

During a speech at the Arbaeen commemoration of Imam Hussein in Iran, Kharrazi said , “The only way to save the country is to make an atomic bomb and detonate it, so that others realize they are dealing with a madman.” Read more…

Trump: The Strait of Hormuz could open today or tomorrow, Thursday.

Trump: The Strait of Hormuz could open today or tomorrow, Thursday.

2026-08-05

Shafaq News – Washington
US President Donald Trump said that an agreement on the Strait of Hormuz could be reached as early as Wednesday or Thursday.

According to the Associated Press, journalists accompanying Trump in California asked the US president about a report published on the Axios news website stating that an announcement regarding the Strait of Hormuz might be issued on Wednesday. Read more…

The New York Times: Iran and Oman are nearing an agreement to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The New York Times: Iran and Oman are nearing an agreement to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

2026-08-04

Shafaq News – Washington
The New York Times revealed on Tuesday that Iran and Oman are close to reaching an agreement on fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz to shipping, according to Iranian and American officials.

Under the proposed agreement, ships entering the strait from the Indian Ocean via the Gulf of Oman would have to take a route through Iranian territorial waters, while ships leaving the strait from the Arabian Gulf would take a parallel route near the Omani coast along the southern side of the strait. Read more…

US Treasury Secretary: We may reach an agreement with Iran on the Strait of Hormuz today or tomorrow.

US Treasury Secretary: We may reach an agreement with Iran on the Strait of Hormuz today or tomorrow.

8-4-2026

US Treasury Secretary Scott Besent confirmed on Tuesday that the United States could reach an agreement with Iran on the Strait of Hormuz today or tomorrow, stating, Read more…

Trump: Iran faces a choice between reaching an agreement or complete surrender.

Trump: Iran faces a choice between reaching an agreement or complete surrender.

2026-08-03

Shafaq News – Washington
US President Donald Trump asserted on Monday that Iran faces a choice between reaching an agreement or complete surrender, noting that “the Iranian leadership is incredibly deceitful,” as he put it.

Trump continued in press statements: “Nothing will reach Iran unless we want it to, unless there is an agreement or complete surrender,” indicating that “the Iranian leadership is incredibly duplicitous; they ask for a meeting and then say they are not holding any talks.” Read more…

Bin Salman urges Trump to pursue diplomatic solutions… and reveals the behind-the-scenes details of the US strike against Iran being called off

Bin Salman urges Trump to pursue diplomatic solutions… and reveals the behind-the-scenes details of the US strike against Iran being called off

2026-08-02

Shafaq News – Follow-up
On Sunday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed with US President Donald Trump the developments in the region and their security and political implications, stressing the need to prioritize dialogue and diplomatic solutions to reduce escalation and prevent the conflict from spreading.

Saudi media reported that the Crown Prince stressed during a phone call the importance of making efforts to achieve calm that paves the way for diplomatic solutions, maintaining the security Read more…

“This is the last night of calm”: Iran warns Israel and 7 other countries

“This is the last night of calm”: Iran warns Israel and 7 other countries

2026-08-01

Shafaq News – Tehran
Former Iranian negotiator and political adviser Mohammad Marandi warned on Saturday that any attack targeting civilian infrastructure in Iran would be met with a response that would include vital infrastructure in Israel, several Gulf states, and possibly Jordan.

Marandi said in a post on the “X” platform, which was followed by Shafaq News Agency, that “based on the statements of the administration of US President Donald Trump, it seems very likely that this will be the last night of calm in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE, and perhaps the Sultanate of Oman.” Read more…

The United States warns its citizens in the Middle East and urges them to prepare for possible departure.

The United States warns its citizens in the Middle East and urges them to prepare for possible departure.

8-1-2026

The United States on Saturday urged American citizens in the Middle East to exercise extreme caution and raise their level of vigilance amid escalating security tensions in the region. The United States stressed that “the security situation in the Middle East remains complex, with the potential for unexpected escalation,” noting that “American citizens should be prepared for the possibility of flight cancellations, temporary airspace closures, and travel disruptions.”

She added that “some airlines in the region have postponed the resumption of their previous flight Read more…