live Iran, U.S. make competing claims over control of Strait of Hormuz
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains under its control, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of “total control” over t...
Germany and the U.S. will deliver five Patriot air defence systems to Ukraine as Russian missile attacks intensify, signalling a renewed Western push to strengthen Kyiv's defences, according to German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius.
The announcement was made during the 29th Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting and follows Pistorius’ recent trip to Washington, where he reached the deal with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
This comes amid a spike in Russian ballistic and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv,.
The Patriot missile system, capable of intercepting advanced ballistic and cruise missiles, is considered one of the most effective air defence tools in the world. With the war now now three and a half years in, Ukraine sees these systems as critical to shielding its population and infrastructure from long-range Russian strikes.
U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed earlier this month that Washington would send Patriot systems to NATO for redistribution to Ukraine, reversing an earlier pause in arms transfers. Trump stated the alliance would finance the move, and later announced that the shipments had already begun.
Germany will fund two of the systems, while Norway is contributing one and has expressed readiness to finance more. Norway, a NATO founding member, is a strong supporter of Ukraine, pledging F-16 fighter jets and a $7 billion aid package over five years.
Currently, the U.S. has supplied three Patriot batteries to Ukraine, with three more from Germany and an additional one from a European coalition. Some are undergoing routine maintenance.
Switzerland, which had ordered Patriot systems scheduled for delivery between 2027–2028, has been informed by the U.S. that the order may be delayed as the units are redirected to meet Ukraine’s urgent needs.
It remains unclear whether the systems will go directly to Ukraine or be used to backfill NATO allies donating their systems to Kyiv.
Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has increased the strategic importance of Bab al-Mandab, raising fears that instability in both waterways could trigger a wider global energy and trade crisis.
Iran and the United States remain at loggerheads over efforts to agree a permanent end to the war in the Gulf, according to a senior Iranian source who said there had been no progress in talks to revive the interim deal agreed in June and define a timeframe to implement it.
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains under its control, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of “total control” over the strategic waterway and insisting it will not reopen until Washington fulfils its commitments under an interim deal.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 12th of August, covering the latest developments.
Millions of people across Spain and Iceland are preparing on Wednesday to witness a rare total solar eclipse, when the moon will pass directly between Earth and the Sun, briefly turning daylight into darkness along a narrow path.
Taiwan staged military defence drills on Wednesday as China concluded joint naval exercises with Indonesia in waters east of the island.
Washington’s counter-narcotics push is expanding as Colombia’s new conservative government backs deeper security cooperation.
Meta said it had removed more than 750,000 Facebook and Instagram accounts suspected of belonging to Australians under 16, as the country’s internet regulator weighs enforcement action over its teen social media ban.
Russia has accused Ukraine of threatening global grain supplies after recent strikes on Black Sea agricultural infrastructure, while Moscow carried out a new overnight attack on Ukraine’s major Danube port of Izmail.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has used Pacific Fleet drills to criticise Japan, NATO and possible Western moves against Russian commercial ships. He made the comments during his first visit to Iturup, a Japan-claimed island at the end of the Kuril chain near the island of Hokkaido.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment