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...
A Russian drone strike targeted the Black Sea port city of Odesa overnight, damaging residential buildings, warehouses, and civilian infrastructure, regional Ukrainian officials reported early Wednesday.
Odesa, a key Ukrainian port city, was hit by a "massive" drone attack overnight, according to Oleh Kiper, governor of the broader Odesa region. Writing on Telegram, Kiper said Russian forces had launched yet another strike on the city.
Odesa Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov shared images showing a residential area and other buildings heavily damaged, including a photo of a dog peering from behind a pile of debris. He confirmed that, based on preliminary information, no injuries had been reported.
The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, with Ukraine’s air force expected to release further details later in the day.
Reuters noted it could not independently verify the claims, and there has been no immediate comment from Russian officials. Both Moscow and Kyiv have consistently denied targeting civilians since the full-scale invasion began more than three years ago.
Despite recent U.S.-brokered agreements between Ukraine and Russia to pause attacks over the Black Sea and on energy infrastructure, both nations have continued to accuse each other of violating the ceasefire arrangements.
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 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.
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.
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.
Australia on Thursday condemned Israel’s decision to close its criminal investigation into the deaths of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and six World Central Kitchen colleagues killed in Gaza in April 2024.
North Korea has fired more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles after U.S. President Donald Trump reduced American participation in joint military exercises with South Korea in an effort to revive dialogue with Pyongyang.
Georgia’s foreign trade data for January-July 2026 shows Kyrgyzstan, China and Russia as its top three export markets, highlighting its Middle Corridor ambitions and complex economic ties with Moscow.
Kazakhstan will vote on 23 August in its first parliamentary election under the new Constitution, choosing 145 members of the new Kurultai under a fundamentally changed electoral system based entirely on party lists.
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