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.
That concludes AnewZ’s live coverage for today. Follow AnewZ for the latest developments and continuing coverage from across the region.
Senior Israeli army commanders have reportedly warned of a possible “widespread eruption” in the occupied West Bank amid a sharp increase in attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.
During a closed-door meeting with Defence Minister Israel Katz, commanders described settler violence as a “major factor fuelling tensions” and warned that without immediate action, there was a serious risk of further escalation.
Figures presented at the meeting reportedly showed 636 incidents classified by Israel as “Jewish terrorism” in the first half of 2026, compared with 867 throughout 2025 and 682 in 2024.
Four Palestinians have been killed and 60 others injured in such attacks since the beginning of this year, according to the figures.
U.S. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer criticised President Donald Trump over his priorities, pointing to gasoline prices above $4 a gallon, the national debt reaching $40 trillion and the ongoing war in the Middle East.
“Gas above $4/gal. National debt at $40 trillion. Another endless war in the Middle East. The FDA gutted and foods being recalled every day,” Schumer wrote.
“And this is what Donald Trump is focused on,” he added.
Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait and the Palestinian presidency have condemned Israel’s advancement of the E1 settlement project in the occupied West Bank, warning it threatens the prospects of a viable Palestinian state.
The plan includes tenders for more than 1,200 settlement units in the E1 area east of Jerusalem. Egypt said the project would further divide the West Bank and isolate occupied East Jerusalem from its Palestinian surroundings.
Jordan said the project undermines efforts towards a two-state solution, while Kuwait said Israeli settlement activity violates international law.
The Palestinian presidency warned the move was pushing the region towards a “dangerous and uncontrollable situation”, saying there could be “no lasting peace” without an end to the Israeli occupation.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Washington has entered a “new phase” in its conflict with Iran, with economic pressure now its “most effective tool”.
“We’re going to keep that going,” Vance said, arguing that increasing oil and gas supplies could both ease energy prices for Americans and intensify pressure on Tehran.
His comments come as the Trump administration moves to tighten Iran’s economic isolation, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent promising what he called the “toughest sanctions in history”.
The U.S. has imposed new sanctions on Hezbollah, re-designating the group as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist on additional grounds tied to its relationship with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Quds Force.
The Treasury also sanctioned 10 individuals accused of operating a courier network that moved hundreds of millions of dollars between Lebanon, Türkiye, the UAE and Iran to support Hezbollah and other Iran-aligned groups.
Hezbollah was already designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S. in 1997 and an SDGT in 2001.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Yousef Raggi has accused Iranian officials of interfering in the country’s internal affairs, saying normal diplomatic relations can only resume once Tehran respects Lebanon’s sovereignty and state decisions.
“Iranian officials must stop interfering in Lebanon’s internal affairs,” Raggi told Lebanese newspaper An-Nahar, citing recent remarks by Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf as the latest example.
Raggi said relations with Iran’s diplomatic mission could only return to normal in accordance with established diplomatic rules and once Tehran respects the decisions of Lebanese institutions.
Tensions between the two countries have been growing for months. In March, Beirut declared Iran’s ambassador persona non grata after accusing Tehran of breaching diplomatic norms and interfering in Lebanese affairs.
Saudi Arabia’s Air Defence Forces commander, Lt. Gen. Mazyad Al-Amro, met his Qatari counterpart, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Al-Shahwani, to discuss strengthening cooperation and joint coordination between the two countries.
The Saudi Defence Ministry announced the meeting on Thursday, amid heightened regional tensions.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has called on Pope Leo XIV and the Vatican to step up diplomatic pressure on Israel to implement the U.S.-mediated framework agreement signed in June.
During talks at the Vatican on Thursday, Aoun urged efforts to halt Israeli attacks and secure a complete Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory, which he said was necessary to pave the way for reconstruction.
Aoun also stressed that the Lebanese state should extend its authority across the entire country and hold the sole power to decide matters of war and peace.
The appeal comes amid continued Israeli attacks despite the 26 June framework, which provides for a gradual Israeli withdrawal alongside the deployment of the Lebanese army and the disarmament of armed groups.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has hit back at UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, saying the British Mandate ended in 1948 and Israel is an independent state.
“Someone should update Ed that the British Mandate for the Land of Israel ended in 1948,” Ben-Gvir said, accusing Miliband of “playing make-believe about the Mandate era”.
The far-right minister also attacked London, claiming it was “rapidly turning into an Islamic Caliphate”.
Russia will not pressure Iran to return to negotiations with the United States, Moscow’s UN Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya said on Thursday, insisting Tehran should decide its own course as a sovereign state.
“Russia, as a matter of principle, does not put any pressure on anybody, be it Iran or any other country,” Nebenzya told reporters at the UN.
The Russian envoy instead blamed Washington for what he called its “reckless and unprovoked aggression” against Iran and rejected suggestions that Tehran was responsible for the breakdown of previous agreements.
Asked about President Donald Trump’s new campaign to economically isolate Iran and threaten consequences for countries continuing to do business with Tehran, Nebenzya said Russia was accustomed to sanctions and would “manage”.
He also questioned Trump’s proposal to declare the Strait of Hormuz U.S. territory, saying he did not know how such a move could be carried out in accordance with international law.
Claudio Cordone, deputy special envoy of the UN secretary-general to Syria, has condemned an Israeli air strike on the Abu al-Duhur airbase, describing it as a “deplorable escalation” in Israel’s attacks on Syria.
Cordone called for diplomacy and respect for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
U.S. Central Command says its forces have redirected 67 commercial vessels, disabled three and boarded two others as part of efforts to enforce the naval blockade of Iran.
The update comes amid rising tensions over the Strait of Hormuz and after President Donald Trump threatened further economic pressure on Tehran.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington is preparing what he described as the "toughest sanctions in history" against Iran as part of a campaign of maximum economic pressure.
Speaking to CNBC, Bessent said he was confident that countries including China want to see the Strait of Hormuz reopened, though he declined to discuss specific diplomatic contacts, saying "some conversations are better to be private."
He said the U.S. strategy would focus on coordinated economic isolation rather than a return to military action, adding that oil markets were misreading what "maximum economic pressure" entails. Bessent also warned that countries continuing to do business with Tehran could face U.S. enforcement measures.
Yemen's Houthis said on Thursday they carried out two drone attacks in Saudi Arabia, targeting what they described as a sensitive site at Najran airport and an Aramco facility in the southern city, according to the group's military spokesperson Yahya Saree.
The Iran-aligned group did not provide details on any damage or casualties. There was no immediate confirmation from Saudi authorities
Lebanon's Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi has urged Iranian officials to stop interfering in the country's internal affairs. In a post on X, Raggi shared excerpts from an interview with An-Nahar, saying normal relations with Iran's mission in Lebanon could resume only once Tehran respects decisions by the Lebanese state and established diplomatic procedures.
Iran has condemned the latest U.S. economic sanctions, describing them as a continuation of Washington’s “failed” policy of economic pressure. Tehran said sanctions were the “flip side” of war and military aggression and accused the United States of using economic measures as a form of pressure against Iran.
The USS George Washington aircraft carrier arrived in the Middle East on Wednesday, replacing the USS Abraham Lincoln, the U.S. military confirmed.
U.S. Central Command said the George Washington Carrier Strike Group arrived in the region as part of a scheduled deployment.
The Abraham Lincoln had remained at sea for an extended period due to the Iran war, raising concerns among lawmakers and military families over the crew’s mental health and living conditions. Earlier this month, a sailor went overboard from the Abraham Lincoln, according to U.S. officials.
The George Washington group arrived in the Middle East after a port visit in Vietnam on 5 August. The replacement had been planned in advance, according to a U.S. official.
The deployment leaves the U.S. without an aircraft carrier in the Pacific.
Yemen's Armed Forces carried out 81 military operations against Houthi targets in the past 24 hours. The attacks targeted Houthi sites and members of the group, resulted in "neutralization of commanders and fighters and the destruction of equipment and vehicles."
The attacks were in response to the recent Houthi attacks on civilian targets and the blockade imposed on the Yemeni people, according to Yemen's military.
Türkiye will continue supporting Syria's efforts to strengthen its military capabilities and rebuild critical infrastructure, the Turkish Defence Ministry said on Thursday, following Israeli airstrikes on a Syrian airbase earlier this week.
At its weekly briefing, the ministry said no Turkish military delegation was present at the targeted airbase before or during the Israeli strikes. Ankara also renewed its criticism of Israel's actions, calling on the international community to take more concrete and effective measures against what it described as actions that threaten regional peace and stability.
The statement comes after Israel warned Türkiye against what it called "dangerous adventures" in Syria amid rising tensions over the country's future security arrangements.
Oman has stressed that lasting security in the Strait of Hormuz can only be achieved through a permanent peace settlement in the region, rejecting further escalation or conflict.
According to Omani officials, the message was conveyed by Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi during talks with his Japanese counterpart on Thursday. The comments come as efforts continue to address tensions surrounding the strategic waterway, a critical route for global energy shipments.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said a vessel operating off the coast of Yemen has been boarded and taken under the control of six armed individuals.
According to the advisory, the ship is now being redirected toward Somalia. UKMTO did not immediately provide further details on the vessel, its crew, or the identity of the armed group involved. Authorities are monitoring the situation.
Oil prices rose by over 2 per cent on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened "economic warfare" against Iran.
Brent crude futures were up 2.4 per cent to nearly $94 a barrel this morning, reaching its highest level since late July. While the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, energy prices keep rising, adding to global inflation.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has criticised U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of an “economic D-Day” against Tehran, saying it was a diversion from America's economic problems and warned that further pressure would fail.
Araghchi’s comments came after Trump announced a new economic pressure campaign targeting Iran and entities supporting its economy, as tensions between the two countries continue.
U.S. President Donald Trump warned of economic consequences against any country that provided "any type of lifeline to Iran" as the U.S. looks to resolve a war it began alongside Israel nearly six months ago.
In a message posted on social media on Wednesday evening, Trump promised "Economic Warfare and Isolation on an unprecedented scale," although details were scant. Iran has weathered continuous punishing economic sanctions for nearly 50 years, since the Islamic Revolution of 1979.
"ANY country that allows its financial institutions, businesses, airports, or government entities to provide any type of lifeline to Iran will itself face TREMENDOUS Economic Consequences," Trump wrote.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a phone call with Pakistan’s Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Iran’s chief negotiator in U.S.-mediated talks as diplomatic efforts between Tehran and Washington face uncertainty, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported on Iranian State news agency IRNA.
The sides reviewed regional developments and discussed diplomatic efforts to advance political solutions and strengthen coordination, according to Iran’s Foreign Ministry.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz showed no increase on Wednesday as diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran remained deadlocked.
Data from shipping analytics firm Kpler showed nine commodity vessel transits through the strategic waterway, unchanged from the previous day.
The slow traffic comes amid conflicting claims between the U.S. and Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday no talks were taking place and that the strait was open. Iran said the waterway remained shut.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a key global energy route, and uncertainty over the conflict continues to weigh on shipping activity and market expectations.
Meanwhile, traffic slowed further at the other major Middle East waterway, the Bab el-Mandeb strait.
A total of 27 commodity vessels passed through it on Wednesday, down from 32 on Tuesday, Kpler data showed.
Some vessels may be sailing through the waterways with their transponders turned off, which is not considered in the counts.
Four people were killed, including a child, in Ukrainian strikes on the Russian port city of Novorossiysk overn...
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said on Wednesday they attacked two U.S. vessels and eight oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, calling the st...
Flights across some of Britain's busiest airports were thrown into chaos on Tuesday after a technical failure at air traffic control provider N...
A TV channel was struck during a live broadcast on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, as Russian strikes on Kyiv killed at least three people, the city's Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. Meanwhile, drones hit civilian infrastructure in Russia's southwestern Saratov region.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces destroyed five Iranian crude oil carriers after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) allegedly launched two ballistic missile attacks against a U.S. Navy warship over the past two days.
Four people were killed, including a child, in Ukrainian strikes on the Russian port city of Novorossiysk overnight, according to the governor of the Krasnodar region. Ukraine's drone forces commander, Robert Brovdi, said Russian military ships were destroyed in the attacks.
U.S. special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Sunday on efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Indonesia has reopened Jakarta's main airport and four others after volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau forced widespread flight cancellations, though fresh eruptions have kept authorities on alert.
Four people were killed, including a child, in Ukrainian strikes on the Russian port city of Novorossiysk overnight, according to the governor of the Krasnodar region. Ukraine's drone forces commander, Robert Brovdi, said Russian military ships were destroyed in the attacks.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 9th of September, covering the latest developments.
The United States has announced a ban on a range of Canadian products, including alcoholic beverages, dairy goods and motorcycles, as retaliatory Canadian tariffs on U.S. imports take effect.
Wildfires have broken out in Türkiye’s Antalya province, forcing hundreds of people to evacuate as strong winds fuelled the flames.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said on Wednesday they attacked two U.S. vessels and eight oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, calling the strikes a response to a U.S. attack on five Iranian tankers.
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