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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…

Iran: Dollar surpasses 189,000 tomans as pressure continues on the local currency.

Iran: Dollar surpasses 189,000 tomans as pressure continues on the local currency.

2026-08-20

Shafaq News – Follow-up
The US dollar continued its rise against the local currency in the Iranian free market on Thursday, recording about 189,700 tomans per dollar.

The data showed that the dollar rose by about 400 tomans, or 0.21%, compared to the previous price, while the price of one euro reached 221,030 tomans, an increase of 0.76%, and one British pound reached 257,670 tomans, an increase of 0.57%. Read more…

The Minister of Finance emphasizes the commitment to the timelines for completing the program and performance budget.

The Minister of Finance emphasizes the commitment to the timelines for completing the program and performance budget.

8-20-2026

Finance Minister Faleh Sari stressed on Thursday the need to complete the budget project within the specified timeframes. The Ministry of Finance stated in a statement that “Finance Minister Faleh Sari visited the Budget Department, during which he followed up on the progress of work in preparing the next budget project according to the methodology of programs and performance.”

According to the statement, the minister affirmed that “the ministry is moving towards a gradual transition from an itemized budget to Read more…

The UAE announces it is cutting trade ties with Iran.

The UAE announces it is cutting trade ties with Iran.

2026-08-19

Shafaq News – Abu Dhabi
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Tuesday the suspension of all trade activities, exchanges and financial transactions with Iran until further notice.

The Director of Strategic Communications at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Afra Al Hamli, said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that “the United Arab Emirates denies all allegations regarding the status of its economic relationship with the Islamic Republic of Iran, and reaffirms its firm commitment Read more…

Is the United States hiding the bodies of alien beings?

Is the United States hiding the bodies of alien beings?

2026-08-19

Shafaq News – Washington
An American astrophysicist who has worked for decades with government programs related to the UFO file has revealed that he has seen what he described as secret evidence and records indicating that the United States is keeping the bodies of extraterrestrial beings allegedly found inside the wreckage of unidentified objects that crashed to Earth.

Dr. Eric Davis said during an interview with News Nation that he had seen government records and photographs that, he claimed, documented incidents in which bodies were recovered from the wreckage of unidentified flying Read more…

Parties to the Mecca Agreement meet in Istanbul… and Egypt joins the table

Parties to the Mecca Agreement meet in Istanbul… and Egypt joins the table

2026-08-19

Shafaq News – Islamabad
The Pakistani Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday that the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey and Pakistan will hold a quadrilateral meeting in Istanbul later this month to discuss political developments and regional security issues.

The ministry said in a statement that the meeting comes “within the framework of continued consultations and close cooperation between the four countries regarding developments in the political situation and regional security,” indicating that the agreement on the date and place of the meeting Read more…

Pakistani officials warn of renewed US-Iran war within 48 hours

Pakistani officials warn of renewed US-Iran war within 48 hours

2026-08-18

Shafaq News – Middle East
Pakistani officials said on Tuesday that the next 48 hours could be crucial in determining the fate of the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, warning that continued disagreement between the two sides and a failure to return to substantive negotiations could increase the risk of renewed strikes.

Pakistani sources told the Saudi website Asharq that the window for diplomacy remains open, but the gap between Washington and Tehran has widened, while regional mediation efforts are facing increasing difficulties Read more…

Syrian court sentences Wassim al-Assad to death

Syrian court sentences Wassim al-Assad to death

2026-08-18

Shafaq News – Damascus
On Tuesday, the Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus issued a death sentence by hanging against Wassim al-Assad (a cousin of former Syrian regime leader Bashar al-Assad), after convicting him of murder, torture, and crimes that the court described as crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The court stated, in a session followed by Shafaq News Agency, that investigations proved Wassim al-Assad’s involvement in forming irregular armed groups, on the orders of Brigadier General Ghiath Dalla, which targeted civilian areas in Eastern Ghouta and committed massacres against civilians, Read more…