China vows to defend interests after US threatens Iran's trading partners

Iran's media reported that a US missile struck an oil tanker near Kharg Island, the country's major oil export hub. The vessel involved was small, with no injuries reported, though blasts near the island were heard by witnesses.

The US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Golden Global Bank, a Turkish bank, accusing it of facilitating transactions for Iran's Revolutionary Guard and Quds Force. All assets of the Istanbul-based bank are frozen in US territory and linked operations are prohibited. The US ambassador to Turkey said the sanctions target the bank's conduct, not Turkey's financial system.

Crossings through the strategic waterway fell 50 percent on August 31, with only five vessels confirmed passing through, according to maritime data firm Kpler. President Trump said the U.S. was now protecting tankers from Iranian attacks in the strait, calling the conflict with Iran 'small potatoes' for the country.

US intelligence assessments indicate Iran is determined to continue military confrontation at least until November midterm elections to wear down Washington, according to recent reports. Trump said 18 Americans have been lost and characterized the conflict as a minor matter. A federal judge extended a block on Trump administration orders seeking to restrict mail-in voting in the midterm elections.

President Donald Trump characterized the conflict with Iran as a minor military operation rather than a full-scale war, citing 18 U.S. service members killed. He compared the toll to the wars in Vietnam and Afghanistan, which lasted years.

Oil traffic through Strait of Hormuz plummets as U.S. tightens Iran sanctions

Crossings through the strategic waterway fell 50 percent on August 31, with only five vessels confirmed passing through, according to maritime data firm Kpler. President Trump said the U.S. was now protecting tankers from Iranian attacks in the strait, calling the conflict with Iran 'small potatoes' for the country.

Trump said the US might attack Pickaxe, a mountain complex near Natanz suspected of holding highly enriched uranium reserves. Trump characterized the six-month military confrontation with Iran as minor, while Iran denied nuclear activities at the site, calling the accusations a pretext for aggression.

US diesel hit an all-time high of $5.85 per gallon, a 58 percent increase from $3.71 a year earlier. The surge follows US and Israel military action against Iran in late February, straining global energy supplies.

US diesel hits record $5.85 a gallon as Iran conflict strains energy supply

US diesel hit an all-time high of $5.85 per gallon, a 58 percent increase from $3.71 a year earlier. The surge follows US and Israel military action against Iran in late February, straining global energy supplies.

Five retro-style video games have been added to the White House website to advance President Trump's policy goals. The collection has gained online traction, including one game in which an eagle transports a bill across Washington's National Mall.

Seoul is weighing military contributions to the Strait of Hormuz amid mounting US requests. The potential deployment would involve a naval logistics vessel and P-8A patrol aircraft, subject to parliamentary approval, and would represent the first such overseas commitment at American urging since 2004, when the Zaytun Division went to Iraq.

South Korea considers Hormuz deployment as Washington increases pressure

Seoul is weighing military contributions to the Strait of Hormuz amid mounting US requests. The potential deployment would involve a naval logistics vessel and P-8A patrol aircraft, subject to parliamentary approval, and would represent the first such overseas commitment at American urging since 2004, when the Zaytun Division went to Iraq.

Vice President JD Vance declined to describe the military confrontation with Iran as a war, even as hostilities have recently intensified. He noted that shooting has not been active at this moment, though clashes have occurred in certain areas, with the standoff now in its seventh month and attacks mounting.

The European Union has formally joined Operation Economic Outcast, Washington's economic pressure campaign against Iran, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. South Korea is weighing options, including potential military involvement, to ensure shipping can move freely through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a presidential official.

Israeli forces said they came under fire in northern Gaza early Friday and responded with an attack, calling the shooting a breach of the October 2025 ceasefire. The military reported no casualties among its troops. Hamas-linked media reported Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City and near the Sanafir crossing, adding to hundreds of operations since the ceasefire that have caused over 1,300 deaths and 4,400 wounded.

Argentine President Javier Milei announced sweeping measures Thursday to halt an offshore oil project near the Falkland Islands, escalating his country's long-standing dispute with Britain. Milei cited recent comments from US President Donald Trump suggesting Washington might reconsider its neutral stance on the islands' sovereignty.

US investigates deadly strike on Iranian wedding as experts link blast to American munition

An explosion tore through a wedding in southern Iran on Tuesday; weapons experts who analyzed images and video concluded the damage pointed to a direct hit by a US munition. The US is investigating the incident. Iranian state television said a 22-year-old woman died in hospital, bringing the total death toll to five, with nearly 70 wounded.

South Korea is reviewing the possible deployment of military personnel to the Strait of Hormuz as one of several options to help ensure safe passage through the waterway, the presidential office said Friday. A senior official said any deployment would be assessed based on defense readiness on the Korean Peninsula and domestic legal requirements, and stressed that no decision has been made.

Argentine President Javier Milei said winds of change favour his country's claim to the Falkland Islands, pointing to signals that the United States may reconsider its long-standing neutrality on the dispute. Milei announced stricter sanctions on companies involved in oil projects near the islands, citing a UN resolution against unilateral action in disputed territories.

Vice President JD Vance announced that the U.S. has ended diplomatic contact with Iran following clashes in the Strait of Hormuz, and talks will not resume until Iran ceases attacks on vessels. He indicated China is prepared to back economic sanctions against Tehran.

An explosion struck a wedding in southern Iran on Tuesday, likely from a direct US munition hit, weapons experts concluded from verified images and video. US Vice President JD Vance said the United States was investigating. Iranian state television reported a 22-year-old woman died in hospital, bringing the death toll to five.

JD Vance said he would not characterise the Iran conflict as a war. The statement came two days after the largest escalation in the conflict in more than a month.

The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Fidel Ernesto Castro Calis, grandson of former Cuban president Raúl Castro, along with Banco Exterior de Cuba and five state entities in Cuba's nickel, energy and petroleum sectors. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the designations block assets under U.S. jurisdiction and restrict the sanctioned parties' access to the American financial system.

Vance rejects 'war' label for U.S.-Iran military operations

Vice President JD Vance declined to describe the military confrontation with Iran as a war, even as hostilities have recently intensified. He noted that shooting has not been active at this moment, though clashes have occurred in certain areas, with the standoff now in its seventh month and attacks mounting.

US vice president JD Vance says Iran conflict is not a war

JD Vance said he would not characterise the Iran conflict as a war. The statement came two days after the largest escalation in the conflict in more than a month.

Washington severs ties with Tehran over Strait of Hormuz incidents as Beijing signals willingness to join embargo

Vice President JD Vance announced that the U.S. has ended diplomatic contact with Iran following clashes in the Strait of Hormuz, and talks will not resume until Iran ceases attacks on vessels. He indicated China is prepared to back economic sanctions against Tehran.

Iran reports that an air strike hit a wedding celebration, leaving at least five dead and nearly 70 wounded. Vice President JD Vance said the United States is looking into the incident.

Vice President JD Vance announced Thursday that the United States is examining an airstrike Iran claims struck a wedding gathering. According to Iranian officials, the strike on a home killed four people and injured close to 70.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said it had decided to release five Lebanese civilians following interrogations that found no connections to terrorism. The United States said it was facilitating daily dialogue between Lebanon and Israel.

President Trump responded to reports of depleting ammunition supplies by calling media outlets reporting the claims "treasonous scum" and insisting the US has "virtually unlimited amounts" of mid to high grade munitions. Trump said the US is producing munitions at unprecedented levels and accused the Biden administration of giving more ammunition to Ukraine than the US has used in its war with Iran.

U.S. sanctions Castro grandson and Cuban state enterprises

The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Fidel Ernesto Castro Calis, grandson of former Cuban president Raúl Castro, along with Banco Exterior de Cuba and five state entities in Cuba's nickel, energy and petroleum sectors. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the designations block assets under U.S. jurisdiction and restrict the sanctioned parties' access to the American financial system.

Trump defends US munitions stockpile, attacks media over Iran war coverage

President Trump responded to reports of depleting ammunition supplies by calling media outlets reporting the claims "treasonous scum" and insisting the US has "virtually unlimited amounts" of mid to high grade munitions. Trump said the US is producing munitions at unprecedented levels and accused the Biden administration of giving more ammunition to Ukraine than the US has used in its war with Iran.

Israel is expected to release five Lebanese detainees under a deal reached this week, with the Lebanese government agreeing to search for remains of Jewish community leaders killed by Hezbollah in the mid-1980s. The prisoner exchange comes as Israel and Lebanon pursue struggling talks aimed at disarming Hezbollah and ending Israel's military operations in the country.