Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz are visible near the beach of Bandar Abbas
The US military attacked Iranian rocket launchers positioned in the Strait of Hormuz, marking its first offensive operation in a month, a US official told The Associated Press on Sunday (Getty)
(Reuters)
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar31 August 2026 06:50
Supertanker ‘struck by mines’ in Strait of Hormuz
A supertanker caught fire and was brought to a complete halt after being struck by two naval mines in the southern Strait of Hormuz, Iran state TV reported this morning.
The Guards said the tanker had been attempting to pass through the waterway illegally. It did not identify the vessel or provide information about its crew.
The Guards warned that other ships violating its security rules would face the same fate and said compliance with its regulations for passage through the Strait of Hormuz was mandatory.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar31 August 2026 06:30
Iran says it attacked UAE’s Al Minhad Air Base with drones
Iran’s army said it attacked the United Arab Emirates’ Al Minhad Air Base with drones this morning, Iranian state TV reported, citing a statement from the army.
The army said the attack targeted locations where US forces and helicopters were stationed at the base.
It said the attack was in response to the killing of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and Iranian civilians on Larak Island.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar31 August 2026 06:20
Iran says it shot down US MQ-9 drone over Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards shot down a US MQ-9 drone over the Strait of Hormuz with air defence missiles, causing it to crash into Gulf waters, the Mehr news agency reported this morning.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar31 August 2026 06:18
Oil jumps more than 2% after US attack on Iran
Oil prices were trading more than two per cent higher this morning after the US attacked an Iranian island in the Strait of Hormuz and drew retaliation from Tehran, as conflict in the Middle East extended into its sixth month.
Brent crude futures climbed $2.51, or 2.85 per cent, to $90.61 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude was at $85.53, up $2.13, or 2.55 per cent.
US forces struck two launchers on Iran’s Larak Island in the Hormuz Strait yesterday, the first known American strikes on the Gulf nation since late July.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar31 August 2026 06:14
Bessent says US to unveil new secondary sanctions weekly
The US treasury department is likely to unveil weekly new secondary sanctions aimed at increasing economic pressure on Iran, with an initial focus on banks, secretary Scott Bessent told Reuters.
“You’re going to see a lot more of these every week,” Bessent said ahead of a Group of 20 finance leaders meeting.
“We’re starting with the banks, and we’re telling the banks it’s not okay to have Iranian money and to aid the regime.”
Bessent said he intends to drive the message home to G20 finance ministers and central bank governors to cut economic ties to Iran, or face secondary sanctions. The Treasury launched the effort, dubbed Operation Economic Outcast, last week.
“There can be no leakage,” Bessent said. “You’re either with us or you’re with the Iranians.”
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar31 August 2026 06:13
Trump says Kharg Island blown to smithereens and shares AI video
Iran’s energy hub of Kharg Island is being blown to smithereens, US president Donald Trump said, after forces hit two rocket launchers on another island in the first known American strikes on the Islamic Republic since late July.
Attacking Kharg, which handled 90 per cent of Iran’s oil exports before the war launched by US and Israeli attacks on 28 February, would severely disrupt its energy trade and put huge pressure on its economy.
“Kharg Island being blown to smithereens!!! President DJT,” Trump said on social media, but gave no further details.
Trump shared an AI-generated video clip showing dramatic explosions with his post.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar31 August 2026 04:55
Iran strikes US bases in Jordan
Iran has responded to US attacks by launching strikes on two US military bases in Jordan, according to Iranian media.
Jordan’s armed forces had intercepted eight missiles that entered its airspace, state television said.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar31 August 2026 04:54
US strikes Iranian island in first attack in weeks
US forces struck two rocket launchers on Iran’s Larak Island yesterday, marking the first American strikes on the Islamic Republic since late July.
The small Iranian island in the Strait of Hormuz near the strategic port of Bandar Abbas overlooks shipping lanes at the mouth of the Gulf, giving it a key role in tension over Iran, maritime security and global energy supplies.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said the attack killed and wounded several soldiers and citizens and vowed a “response and punishment” from Tehran, according to Iranian state media.
The US military said it took “limited, precise” action against minelaying forces of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards that posed an “imminent threat” in the Strait of Hormuz. It gave no details.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar31 August 2026 04:51