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...
China and Malaysia pledged to uphold peace in the South China Sea, resolve disputes peacefully, and deepen global cooperation, following Xi Jinping’s state visit. Both nations also reaffirmed support for multilateralism and international law.
China and Malaysia have agreed to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea and resolve disputes through peaceful means. This was highlighted in a joint statement released after Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Malaysia. Despite recent tensions involving Chinese vessels near Malaysian energy firm Petronas' operations, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reaffirmed Malaysia’s intent to continue activities within its exclusive economic zone.
Xi concluded his Southeast Asia tour with visits to Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia. The joint statement expressed hope for finalizing the long-awaited Code of Conduct between China and ASEAN by next year, a process that began slowly despite a pledge made in 2002.
Tensions persist in the South China Sea, where China claims nearly the entire area, overlapping with zones belonging to Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Brunei. A 2016 international ruling rejected China's claims, though China refuses to acknowledge the decision.
The joint statement also promoted multilateralism and global trade cooperation, contrasting with the U.S.'s tariff-based approach. Both nations emphasized collaboration through international bodies like the UN, WTO, WHO, and BRICS, and opposed unilateral trade restrictions that violate WTO rules.
Malaysia reaffirmed its support for the one-China policy and rejected Taiwan's independence. Both countries also voiced support for a ceasefire in Gaza and recognized it as a legitimate part of Palestinian territory.
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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