live U.S.-Iran standoff continues as Hormuz shipping and diplomacy remain uncertain
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to res...
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is monitoring recent Iranian military exercises and will raise the issue with U.S. President Donald Trump during his visit to Washington next week.
Netanyahu made the remarks at a joint press conference in Jerusalem with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides. He warned that any hostile action by Iran against Israel would be met with a “very severe response,” while emphasising that Israel seeks stability rather than confrontation.
Iranian state media reported missile drills in multiple cities earlier on Monday, marking the second such exercise in a month. Netanyahu said Israel is “following this and doing all the necessary preparations” and stressed that Tehran’s nuclear activities would also be discussed with the U.S. president Donald Trump.
The trilateral meeting also addressed regional security and infrastructure cooperation, including initiatives linking India to Europe via Middle Eastern sea and rail networks. Greek officials highlighted Greece’s role as an emerging liquefied natural gas hub for south-eastern Europe.
Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen described the meeting as particularly significant amid regional tensions, underlining Israel’s aim of coordinating with the U.S. on Iran, countering Hezbollah’s influence in Lebanon, and advancing the next phase of the U.S.-backed Gaza plan. Netanyahu’s upcoming Washington trip underscores the country’s focus on regional security and strengthening eastern Mediterranean partnerships.
The collective-defence agreement between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signals that regional powers no longer want to rely solely on external security guarantees. Whether it becomes a stabilising deterrent or another axis of rivalry remains unresolved.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed, according to the latest data, as uncertainty over the waterway’s reopening kept most shipowners away. Six commodity vessels crossed the strait on Tuesday, down from nine the day before and below the 10-day daily average of 11.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils the terms of an interim deal, including lifting the maritime blockade and sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 19th of August, covering the latest developments.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
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