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“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…

US Treasury: We will target Iranian funds around the world

US Treasury: We will target Iranian funds around the world

2026-07-31

Shafaq News – Washington
US Treasury Secretary Scott Besent pledged on Friday to target Iranian funds worldwide.

Besent added in an interview with Fox News that there is a lot of Iranian money circulating and we will track it down.

The administration of US President Donald Trump believes that economic sanctions are more effective than military Read more…

20,000 of them are Moroccans… 49,000 migrants crossed into Spain in 24 hours

20,000 of them are Moroccans… 49,000 migrants crossed into Spain in 24 hours

2026-07-31

Shafaq News – Madrid
The Spanish Interior Ministry announced on Friday that approximately 49,000 migrants had managed to infiltrate the Ceuta enclave in North Africa during the past 24 hours .

The Spanish Interior Ministry said migrants poured in from Morocco by sea and land and were able to sneak across the border, according to Reuters.

Meanwhile, sources in law enforcement agencies in the Spanish city of Ceuta in North Africa revealed Read more…

Due to the influx of migrants, Italy calls for the suspension of Spain’s membership in the Schengen Agreement.

Due to the influx of migrants, Italy calls for the suspension of Spain’s membership in the Schengen Agreement.

2026-07-31

Shafaq News – Rome
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has called for the suspension of Spain’s membership in the European Schengen Area, which allows for free movement without internal borders between member states, due to the influx of tens of thousands of migrants from Morocco into Spain.

Meloni said, “Italy is holding meetings with the relevant authorities, and once the meetings are over, we will be ready to act, including taking exceptional measures, such as suspending Read more…

CENTCOM: Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz, and F-16 fighter jets are patrolling the Middle East.

CENTCOM: Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz, and F-16 fighter jets are patrolling the Middle East.

2026-07-29

Shafaq News – Washington
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed on Wednesday that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard has no authority to impose routes for free and open navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

She added in a post on the “X” platform, which was monitored by Shafaq News Agency, that commercial ships continue to use the strait with American military support.

She added that since early May, US forces have helped nearly 1,000 ships and 500 million barrels of crude oil pass Read more…

US Treasury: New sanctions against entities and oil tankers linked to Iran

US Treasury: New sanctions against entities and oil tankers linked to Iran

2026-07-29

Shafaq News – Washington
The U.S. Treasury Department on Wednesday imposed new sanctions on 10 companies and eight oil tankers linked to Iran, in an effort to prevent Tehran from using the Strait of Hormuz to bolster its economy.

The US Treasury Department stated that its Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued sanctions against:

Billion Nexus International Limited (also known as Billion Nexus International Limited), in Hong Kong, China. Read more…

Tehran: The Strait of Hormuz belongs to Iran, and the pre-war era is over.

Tehran: The Strait of Hormuz belongs to Iran, and the pre-war era is over.

7-29-2026

Information/Follow-up…
Iranian Deputy Speaker of Parliament Ali Nikzad affirmed on Wednesday that the Strait of Hormuz is Iran’s right, stressing that his country will not back down from its position on the matter.
Nikzad stated, in remarks carried by Iranian media, that “the Strait of Hormuz belongs to Iran, and we will not relinquish our right to it.” Read more…

After the bombing of Iraq, Egypt supports Saudi Arabia.

After the bombing of Iraq, Egypt supports Saudi Arabia.

2026-07-29

Shafaq News – Cairo
Egypt announced on Wednesday its full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and Jordan, condemning the attacks that targeted oil facilities in the Kingdom and the attacks that targeted Jordan, describing them as a violation of international law and an escalation that threatens the security of the region.

The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that it condemns “in the strongest terms” the targeting of oil facilities in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Read more…

Trump: If Iran doesn’t make a deal with us, I will complete the military mission.

Trump: If Iran doesn’t make a deal with us, I will complete the military mission.

2026-07-28

Shafaq News – Washington
US President Donald Trump confirmed on Tuesday that the United States had held “good talks” with Iran, arguing that reaching an agreement with them was better than “destroying what’s left of the country,” but he threatened to resume military action if negotiations failed.

In an interview with Fox News, Trump explained that “it is better to reach an agreement with Iran than to destroy the rest of the country,” adding, “If Iran does not make a deal with us, I will come back and finish the job.” Read more…

Reuters: Oman has presented Iran with a proposal for managing the Strait of Hormuz that includes voluntary fees.

Reuters: Oman has presented Iran with a proposal for managing the Strait of Hormuz that includes voluntary fees.

2026-07-28

Shafaq News – Middle East
Reuters reported on Tuesday that Oman had submitted a proposal to Iran regarding a joint regional mechanism for managing the Strait of Hormuz with voluntary fees.

The agency quoted a Gulf source as saying that Iran “will not exercise unilateral control over the vital waterway, according to the Omani proposal which enjoys regional support.” Read more…

Tehran demands that Ukraine be held accountable for attacking an Iranian ship in the Caspian Sea

Tehran demands that Ukraine be held accountable for attacking an Iranian ship in the Caspian Sea.

2026-07-26

Shafaq News – Tehran
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi on Sunday condemned the Ukrainian attack on an Iranian merchant ship in the Caspian Sea, demanding that the perpetrators of “this criminal act and their supporters” be held accountable.

In a telephone call with EU foreign policy commissioner Kaya Kallas, Araqchi called for “a decisive response from the UN Security Council, the EU and the international community to hold the perpetrators of this criminal act and their supporters accountable.” Read more…

Iran announces suspension of its attacks in the region after the cessation of US strikes.

Iran announces suspension of its attacks in the region after the cessation of US strikes.

2026-07-26

Shafaq News – Tehran
Iran announced on Sunday that it was suspending its retaliatory attacks on Gulf states following the cessation of US airstrikes.

Iranian military spokesman Mohammad Akrami Nia said, “The Americans stopped their attacks during the past two nights, and since our strategy is based primarily on responding in kind, we have also stopped our retaliatory operations.”

A U.S. official at the Department of Defense (the Pentagon) confirmed the suspension of military operations Read more…

The Wall Street Journal: Bahrain and Kuwait carried out direct strikes inside Iran

The Wall Street Journal: Bahrain and Kuwait carried out direct strikes inside Iran

2026-07-24

Shafaq News – Washington
The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing informed sources, that Bahrain and Kuwait secretly sent warplanes to launch attacks on sites inside Iran, in the first direct response of its kind against Tehran.

The sources told the American newspaper that the airstrikes launched at the beginning of this month targeted drone and missile depots, in addition to other military sites.

She added that the United Arab Emirates, which launched repeated attacks on Iran at the beginning of the war, Read more…

Pakistan makes a halt to Iranian attacks on the Gulf a precondition for resuming talks with Washington.

Pakistan makes a halt to Iranian attacks on the Gulf a precondition for resuming talks with Washington.

2026-07-24

Shafaq News – Islamabad
A Pakistani official revealed on Friday that halting Iranian attacks on Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states is now a precondition for resuming any talks to end the nearly five-month-long war between Tehran and Washington, confirming that Pakistan has already conveyed this message to the Iranian side.

Three Pakistani sources told Reuters that Islamabad is exploring a path to restart stalled talks between the United States and Iran, as part of an effort initiated by China, stressing that the obstacles to any talks Read more…

Trump: Moscow and Beijing pledged not to sell weapons to Iran

Trump: Moscow and Beijing pledged not to sell weapons to Iran

2026-07-24

Shafaq News – Washington
US President Donald Trump confirmed on Friday that his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping told him during their recent meeting in Beijing that he would not provide weapons to Iran and would not sell them in any way, stressing that this pledge extends to Chinese companies.

Trump said in remarks monitored by Shafaq News Agency: “Given the nature of our relationship, I believe him on that,” adding that he is offering the Chinese president “very significant concessions” within the framework of the bilateral relationship between the two countries. Read more…

Gold fell to near $4,030, pressured by rising oil prices and interest rate concerns.

Gold fell to near $4,030, pressured by rising oil prices and interest rate concerns.

2026-07-24

Shafaq News – Erbil
Gold continued its decline on Friday, after falling two percent in the previous session, as the return of Brent crude prices to above $100 a barrel fueled concerns about inflation and reinforced expectations of a US interest rate hike ahead of the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy meeting next week.

Gold prices fell 0.4 percent in spot trading to $4,030.09 an ounce, down more than $130 from a two-week high reached on Wednesday. U.S. gold futures for August delivery also fell Read more…

Araghchi responds to Trump: Controlling Iran’s frozen funds will create chaos

Araghchi responds to Trump: Controlling Iran’s frozen funds will create chaos

2026-07-24

Shafaq News – Tehran
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Friday that seizing another country’s assets to use them to settle unrelated future claims sets a “dangerous precedent”.

Araghchi wrote in a post on the X platform: “Those who celebrate or seek to benefit from these funds should remember that once governments normalize confiscation, no one’s assets will be safe again. And the chaos that will result will be neither beautiful nor peaceful.”

This comes in response to statements made by US President Donald Trump on Thursday, in which he said Read more…

Trump: We will not approve the nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia unless it joins the Abraham Accords.

Trump: We will not approve the nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia unless it joins the Abraham Accords.

7-23-2026

US President Donald Trump announced that the United States will not approve the nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia unless it joins the Abraham Accords regarding the normalization of relations with Israel. Trump stated today in a post on the Truth Social platform that he has approved a civilian nuclear agreement between the US Department of Energy and Saudi Arabia. He explained that the agreement will be limited to non-military uses and will not include any enrichment of nuclear materials, similar to the agreements Read more…

Gulf states are spending billions of dollars to find new routes to global markets.

Gulf states are spending billions of dollars to find new routes to global markets.

7-23-2026

A report by the Times of India on Thursday confirmed that for decades, the Strait of Hormuz has been the world’s most important waterway for oil transport, with millions of barrels of crude oil passing through it daily. However, frequent disruptions to global oil supplies have revealed the fragility of this dependence, prompting Gulf states to pursue an ambitious network of pipelines designed to transport oil without relying on this narrow waterway.
The report, translated by Al-Maalomah News Agency, stated that “from the UAE to Iraq, governments and state-owned energy companies are accelerating multi-billion-dollar projects to Read more…