The West Asia conflict is approaching its sixth month with no clear diplomatic or military exit in sight as US President Donald Trump dramatically escalates pressure on Iran. Trump has announced what he described as an unprecedented economic warfare and isolation campaign against Iran, warning that countries continuing to do business with Tehran could face “tremendous punishment.”

The latest escalation comes amid a growing dispute over the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy routes. Trump says the waterway remains open and that numerous vessels are passing through, while Iranian officials maintain that the strait remains closed until Washington meets Tehran’s conditions.

Iran has demanded an end to the blockade of its ports, the lifting of oil sanctions and the release of frozen Iranian assets. Meanwhile, US-Iran negotiations remain uncertain, with Trump saying talks could resume at some point but reiterating that Iran must not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons.


Trump Launches “Economic Warfare” Against Iran As Strait Of Hormuz Crisis Deepens

US President Donald Trump on Friday (August 15) said he would "soon" declare the Strait of Hormuz an American territory after defeating Iran.&nbsp;Speaking at a political rally at a police academy in New York State, Trump said, "After we finish defeating Iran, which is being very badly defeated, pretty soon I'll be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States," drawing a chuckle from the crowd."It's true," he added.&nbsp;The United States and Iran remain locked in a standoff over the strait. Iran has denied access to much of the civilian shipping, while the US Navy has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports in an effort to weaken the country's economy.&nbsp;"We have the blockade. No ships get through unless we want them to," Trump told the cheering crowd of supporters and police.&nbsp;Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/luigi-mangione-pleads-guilty-in-federal-case-over-killing-of-unitedhealthcare-ceo-brian-thompson-1786726506112"> Luigi Mangione pleads guilty in federal case over killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson</a>&nbsp;Meanwhile, two slicks have emerged in Iranian waters, according to satellite imagery and video verified by Reuters. The development comes as tit-for-tat attacks by Iran and the United States on oil tankers and other vessels raise concerns about environmental damage in the Gulf.&nbsp;A possible environmental disaster is also unfolding off Oman, outside the Strait of Hormuz. The grounded tanker Caroline Bezengi is leaking Russian crude oil in a protected marine area. The spill has created a huge slick that some estimates put at 2,000 square kilometres.<h3>US says it redirects commercial ships</h3>The US Central Command said that its ongoing military blockade of Iranian ports has redirected 62 commercial ships.&nbsp;CENTCOM said the operation also disabled three ships and involved boarding two others to ensure compliance.&nbsp;The command released the figures along with a photo showing a US sailor directing an "MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter during nighttime flight operations aboard guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton," as the vessel operated in the Arabian Sea while enforcing the blockade.

Trump said the US would soon declare the Strait of Hormuz its territory after defeating Iran, as tensions over the vital waterway continue amid a US blockade of Iranian ports.

US President Donald Trump on Friday (August 15) said he would "soon" declare the Strait of Hormuz an American territory after defeating Iran. Speaking at a political rally at a police academy in New York State, Trump said, "After we finish defeating Iran, which is being very badly defeated, pretty soon I'll be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States," drawing a chuckle from the crowd. "It's true," he added. The United States and Iran remain locked in a standoff over the strait. Iran has denied access to much of the civilian shipping, while the US Navy has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports in an effort to weaken the country's economy. "We have the blockade. No ships get through unless we want them to," Trump told the cheering crowd of supporters and police. Also Read: Luigi Mangione pleads guilty in federal case over killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson Meanwhile, two slicks have emerged in Iranian waters, according to satellite imagery and video verified by Reuters. The development comes as tit-for-tat attacks by Iran and the United States on oil tankers and other vessels raise concerns about environmental damage in the Gulf. A possible environmental disaster is also unfolding off Oman, outside the Strait of Hormuz. The grounded tanker Caroline Bezengi is leaking Russian crude oil in a protected marine area. The spill has created a huge slick that some estimates put at 2,000 square kilometres. US says it redirects commercial ships The US Central Command said that its ongoing military blockade of Iranian ports has redirected 62 commercial ships. CENTCOM said the operation also disabled three ships and involved boarding two others to ensure compliance. The command released the figures along with a photo showing a US sailor directing an "MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter during nighttime flight operations aboard guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton," as the vessel operated in the Arabian Sea while enforcing the blockade.

Trump said the US would soon declare the Strait of Hormuz its territory after defeating Iran, as tensions over the vital waterway continue amid a US blockade of Iranian ports.

Trump vows to declare Strait of Hormuz US territory after defeating Iran

After slamming Iran’s leadership as dishonest and unbelievably duplicitous earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump on Monday claimed that talks with Tehran were going on “right now” and warned that it was the country’s “last chance” to sign a deal.&nbsp;&nbsp;Trump said that the negotiations were taking place at Iran’s request and were backed by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, despite Tehran’s repeated insistence that no direct talks with Washington are under way.&nbsp;Speaking to reporters at the Oval Office, Trump said, “We are talking right now (with Iran) at the request of Iran, backed by Saudi Arabia, backed by the UAE, and backed by Qatar in particular, but others also. Many countries called, but if it doesn’t happen, this is the last chance for them to sign a good document.”However, Trump did not specify the location where the talks were taking place or identify the officials involved.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/deal-or-total-surrender-trump-says-iran-s-leadership-dishonest-and-unbelievably-duplicitous-1785772683657">‘Deal or total surrender’: Trump says Iran’s leadership dishonest and ‘unbelievably duplicitous’</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;The president said that people will find out “today or tomorrow” about how talks with Iran are going.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://x.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> on talks with Iran: &quot;They&#39;re going on right now... This is the last chance. This is the last chance for them to sign a good document.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/PxOMyX36Ze">pic.twitter.com/PxOMyX36Ze</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/2084340644307259621?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>‘They’re going to go quickly, one way or the other’</h2>&nbsp;“I mean they’re going to go quickly, one way or the other. It’s not very complex,” Trump said. “We’re talking about the strait, the opening of the strait, having it open, literally by tomorrow. Completely open. And that’s phase one, and phase two is we then will talk about the nuclear capacity … the denuclearization of Iran.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-signs-deal-to-boost-production-of-patriot-thaad-missile-interceptor-systems-1785769944181">US signs deal to boost production of Patriot, THAAD missile interceptor systems</a>&nbsp;When asked what his message was to the American people after he backed down on further attacks against Iran for more negotiations, Trump said, “Well, you don’t know, I don’t know, I think we’re going to maybe get something.”&nbsp;<h2>‘Very tough to do what we have planned’</h2>&nbsp;“But I want to give them every last chance before decapitation. Very tough to do what we have planned, still planned. We’ll see what happens,” Trump said.&nbsp;“I’m very proud of the fact that I will give people, I’ll give people a chance,” he added.&nbsp;Earlier on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said there were no talks with the US and no meetings planned in the coming days. He said the only ongoing discussions involved Oman and were limited to the management of the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-admin-creating-incubators-to-develop-tech-to-counter-drone-terror-attacks-1785695702777">Trump admin creating ‘incubators’ to develop tech to counter drone terror attacks</a>&nbsp;Besides, sources said that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is on a religious pilgrimage in Iraq and would not be available for negotiations until at least the end of the week.&nbsp;Trump also warned that nothing would pass through Iran unless Tehran agreed to “a Deal, or Total Surrender,” and reiterated that Iran would never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that the negotiations were taking place at Iran’s request and were backed by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, despite Tehran’s repeated insistence that no direct talks with Washington are under way.

After slamming Iran’s leadership as dishonest and unbelievably duplicitous earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump on Monday claimed that talks with Tehran were going on “right now” and warned that it was the country’s “last chance” to sign a deal. Trump said that the negotiations were taking place at Iran’s request and were backed by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, despite Tehran’s repeated insistence that no direct talks with Washington are under way. Speaking to reporters at the Oval Office, Trump said, “We are talking right now (with Iran) at the request of Iran, backed by Saudi Arabia, backed by the UAE, and backed by Qatar in particular, but others also. Many countries called, but if it doesn’t happen, this is the last chance for them to sign a good document.” However, Trump did not specify the location where the talks were taking place or identify the officials involved. Also Read: ‘Deal or total surrender’: Trump says Iran’s leadership dishonest and ‘unbelievably duplicitous’ The president said that people will find out “today or tomorrow” about how talks with Iran are going.

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that the negotiations were taking place at Iran’s request and were backed by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, despite Tehran’s repeated insistence that no direct talks with Washington are under way.

‘Talks on right now’: Trump says he wants to give Iran ‘every last chance before decapitation’

US President Donald Trump has stated that negotiations with Iran, expected to take place through intermediaries, are scheduled to begin on Monday (Aug 3). Speaking to reporters on board Air Force One, Trump confirmed that discussion channels were active and said that he stopped the biggest attack since World War 2 after speaking to allies in West Asia.&nbsp;&nbsp;"We are talking to them [the Iranians] in the form of a negotiation; it begins tomorrow afternoon, and we'll see how it goes. I'd love to do that. It'll save a lot of lives, a lot of unnecessary power, to be honest with you. We are ready to go whenever we want. Would I rather make a deal? I'm not looking to kill people, because a lot of people die; we don't want that. So they asked us, Iran specifically, but the other three, they asked us," Trump said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/short-videos/trump-s-saudi-nuclear-deal-brilliant-move-or-big-risk-1785686257531">Trump's Saudi nuclear deal: Brilliant move or big risk?</a><h2>Iran attack would've been biggest since World War 2: Trump</h2>“It was going to be a massive attack,” the Republican president told reporters aboard Air Force One. “It was going to be an attack that would have been, by far, the biggest attack since World War II.” Earlier, in a Truth Social post on Saturday, Trump wrote that the US military was “locked and loaded.” The US President revealed that diplomatic engagements involving Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar led him to halt the attack. Meanwhile, t he Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday that while Saudi Arabia counselled restraint, the United Arab Emirates lobbied Washington for more assertive military action, arguing that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps would not alter its course without direct US force.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/why-are-israeli-politicians-divided-over-the-proposed-gaza-deal-wion-decodes-1785654995971">Why are Israeli politicians divided over the proposed Gaza deal? WION Decodes</a><h2>Iran's FM holds calls with Saudi and Pakistan officials</h2>Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also spoke with senior Saudi and Pakistan officials. Araghchi held “a series of high-level telephone conversations” Sunday night with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir, which marked his second round of diplomatic calls within 24 hours, Iranian state media Press TV said. During the call, they discussed “the current situation” and establishing security and stability in the region, the outlet said, citing an X post by Araghchi. The previous day, Araghchi warned his Saudi counterpart that “any aggression or hostile action” by the United States and Israel “would be met with a firm and proportionate response,” reported Press TV. Just a day ago, Israeli media claimed that Iran has agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz but Iran officially denied it calling it false news. Iranian media termed Trump a “fool” who has run out of “steam.”&nbsp;

Trump said indirect talks with Iran will begin Monday, as Washington seeks a diplomatic solution amid tensions. Trump said discussions involving Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar had helped avert a planned major attack and could lead to agreements on Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear programme.

US President Donald Trump has stated that negotiations with Iran, expected to take place through intermediaries, are scheduled to begin on Monday (Aug 3). Speaking to reporters on board Air Force One, Trump confirmed that discussion channels were active and said that he stopped the biggest attack since World War 2 after speaking to allies in West Asia. "We are talking to them [the Iranians] in the form of a negotiation; it begins tomorrow afternoon, and we'll see how it goes. I'd love to do that. It'll save a lot of lives, a lot of unnecessary power, to be honest with you. We are ready to go whenever we want. Would I rather make a deal? I'm not looking to kill people, because a lot of people die; we don't want that. So they asked us, Iran specifically, but the other three, they asked us," Trump said. Also Read: Trump's Saudi nuclear deal: Brilliant move or big risk? Iran attack would've been biggest since World War 2: Trump “It was going to be a massive attack,” the Republican president told reporters aboard Air Force One. “It was going to be an attack that would have been, by far, the biggest attack since World War II.” Earlier, in a Truth Social post on Saturday, Trump wrote that the US military was “locked and loaded.” The US President revealed that diplomatic engagements involving Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar led him to halt the attack. Meanwhile, t he Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday that while Saudi Arabia counselled restraint, the United Arab Emirates lobbied Washington for more assertive military action, arguing that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps would not alter its course without direct US force. Also Read: Why are Israeli politicians divided over the proposed Gaza deal? WION Decodes Iran's FM holds calls with Saudi and Pakistan officials Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also spoke with senior Saudi and Pakistan officials. Araghchi held “a series of high-level telephone conversations” Sunday night with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir, which marked his second round of diplomatic calls within 24 hours, Iranian state media Press TV said. During the call, they discussed “the current situation” and establishing security and stability in the region, the outlet said, citing an X post by Araghchi. The previous day, Araghchi warned his Saudi counterpart that “any aggression or hostile action” by the United States and Israel “would be met with a firm and proportionate response,” reported Press TV. Just a day ago, Israeli media claimed that Iran has agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz but Iran officially denied it calling it false news. Iranian media termed Trump a “fool” who has run out of “steam.”

Trump said US-Iran negotiations are set to begin Monday through intermediaries, after talks involving Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar. He said diplomacy could avert further bloodshed and expressed confidence that agreements on the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s denuclearisation could be reached.

Iran-US talks to begin today after Trump halts 'biggest attack since World War 2'; Tehran dials Saudi, Pak

US President Donald Trump says Washington is ready for another round of negotiations with Iran, even as the US imposed fresh sanctions targeting key Iranian financial networks. Reports suggest new talks could take place in Switzerland, while Qatar, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Oman continue diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation in the region. Meanwhile, Iran has rejected claims that it requested negotiations and has accused the US of violating previous understandings through renewed military action.


Trump agrees to fresh iran talks as us imposes new sanctions amid rising middle east tensions

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Trump Launches “Economic Warfare” Against Iran As Strait Of Hormuz Crisis Deepens

Trump vows to declare Strait of Hormuz US territory after defeating Iran

Trump says talks on, ‘want to give Iran every last chance before decapitation’

Iran-US talks to begin today after Trump halts 'biggest attack since WW 2'

Trump agrees to fresh iran talks as us imposes new sanctions amid rising middle east tensions