Day 156 | Trump says US, 'Israel' to hold off on Iran strikes
Latest Updates:
- Trump says US and 'Israel' agreed to pause planned strikes on Iran following requests from Tehran and regional countries, conditional on a quick deal.
- Iran says it is ready to “respond decisively” to any US attack, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warning against any “adventurous action” by the US military as reports suggest President Donald Trump is nearing a decision on major strikes targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure.
- A tanker has been struck by an unknown projectile about 11 nautical miles (20km) northeast of Limah, Oman.
- Kuwait says its military detected and destroyed hostile drones over its airspace, describing them as part of an Iranian attack targeting several vital facilities.
- Iran’s top military commander warns US actions could ignite a wider regional conflict and cautions regional countries against being “consumed by the flames of war.”
- Yemen’s Houthis claim they forced eight Saudi ships to change course, without specifying when.
- Hebrew Channel 12 reports that ‘Israel’ expects Iran to launch ballistic missiles even if it does not participate in the planned US strikes, with the country remaining on its highest level of alert.
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Read more: Day 157 | Trump pauses Iran strike plans as Oman talks near final stage
Trump says that US continues to engage in indirect dialogue with Iran
US President Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran remain active and that he is prepared to allow more time for a potential agreement, despite signaling that the window for diplomacy will be limited.
Trump has repeatedly said his negotiators are in constant contact with Iranian counterparts, either directly or through mediators, maintaining throughout recent tensions that dialogue between the two sides has continued.
His latest comments come after days of heightened speculation over possible military action against Iran.
Political observers said the recent threat of military action may have been part of a pressure campaign aimed at convincing Tehran to accept US demands.
However, analysts argue that if the strategy was intended to force Iran into concessions, it has so far failed, with no breakthrough announced and Trump now shifting toward extending negotiations rather than escalating militarily.
Trump said he is giving diplomacy additional time but indicated that the extension would not be indefinite.
Pezeshkian says US memorandum will shape Iran's foreign policy
Masoud Pezeshkian said the memorandum of understanding with the United States will serve as the foundation of Iran's foreign policy in the future.
The Iranian president said Tehran would work to ensure that the United States fulfills the commitments it has made under the agreement, adding that Iran must strive to compel its "enemy" to adhere to what it signed.
American Airlines delays Tel Aviv flights until March 2027
American Airlines has postponed the resumption of its flights to Tel Aviv until the end of March 2027.
The US carrier announced on Sunday that it had pushed back its planned return to the 'Israeli' city, replacing its previous target date of the end of December 2026.
'Israeli' officials criticize Trump's Iran policy
Senior 'Israeli' officials have voiced growing frustration with US President Donald Trump's handling of policy toward Iran, according to statements carried by the 'Israeli' Public Broadcasting Corporation, Yedioth Ahronoth, and Channel 12.
Officials quoted by the public broadcaster said it had become difficult to prepare for the future given the way Trump was managing the situation. They added that most current discussions focus on the Strait of Hormuz, while uncertainty remains over other issues, including Iran's uranium stockpile and the Trump administration's commitments regarding Tehran's future conduct.
A senior 'Israeli' official quoted by Yedioth Ahronoth said Iran remains 'Israel's' top priority and that uncertainty in Washington has complicated planning. The official said cooperation with the US remains a strategic asset whose benefits outweigh the challenges of maintaining heightened military readiness amid shifting American decisions.
The report added that the 'Israeli' security establishment is concerned that the unpredictability of Trump's decisions could undermine the military's ability to keep its forces on maximum alert for extended periods.
Separately, Channel 12 cited 'Israeli' sources as saying that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of the security cabinet learned of Trump's decision to cancel a planned attack on Iran through the president's social media post. The sources described hours of uncertainty, saying Trump kept 'Israel' "in the dark" and that the prevailing feeling was, "We were left alone."
Mediators trying to revive MoU agreement, says Iranian parliament spokesperson
Hassan Ghashghavi, spokesperson for Iran's parliamentary National Security Commission, said mediators are attempting to revive the June memorandum of understanding, according to Iranian news outlet SNN.
In an interview, Ghashghavi said mediators recognize that the Strait of Hormuz remains the central issue in ongoing discussions and that an "exchange of views" is continuing.
He said Iranian officials could travel to Muscat for another round of talks, describing the discussions as a normal part of diplomacy aimed at safeguarding Iran's national interests.
Ghashghavi also said lasting peace can only be achieved "through the area of power," arguing that Iran's position must ultimately prevail through diplomacy or, if necessary, military strength.
Strait of Hormuz will not return to ‘pre-war situation’, says Iranian spokesperson
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the Strait of Hormuz will "never return to the pre-war situation," according to Iran's Fars news agency.
Baghaei said ongoing talks between Iran and Oman over the strategic waterway are not related to reopening or closing the strait. He claimed the closure was caused by "US sabotage and the naval blockade of Iran."
The spokesperson said the discussions with Oman are bilateral and have been underway for a long time, aiming to establish a mechanism that would "secure our interests."
"The Islamic Republic of Iran acts based on the interests and concerns of the country and will not change its decision under the influence of threats and intimidation from others," Baghaei said.
He added that Tehran would not change its positions because of threats or media pressure.
Iranian soldier killed in border clash
An Iranian soldier was killed and another was wounded during a clash with armed men in the western border city of Marivan, according to Iran's Mehr News Agency.
Iran says Hormuz talks with Oman are 'bilateral'
Iran's Foreign Ministry said its negotiations with Oman over the Strait of Hormuz are bilateral and are not connected to any other country or party.
The ministry said US threats are "nothing new," adding that Tehran acts according to its national interests and will respond forcefully to any action taken against it.
Iran also said its discussions with Oman on the Strait of Hormuz are not new and are aimed at establishing a shipping mechanism for vessels transiting the strategic waterway.
The ministry stressed that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz "cannot return to what it was before the war," adding that Tehran and Muscat are exploring a new maritime transit route that would be neither the northern nor the southern passage and would safeguard the shared interests of both countries.
CENTCOM says it has redirected 35 vessels as Iran blockade continues
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces continue to enforce the naval blockade reimposed on Iran last month.
In its latest operational update, CENTCOM said the US military has redirected 35 commercial vessels, disabled two vessels, and boarded two others as part of its maritime enforcement operations.
A U.S. Marine Corps F-35C stealth fighter jet launches from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) as the aircraft carrier transits the Arabian Sea and supports the U.S. blockade against Iran. As of Aug. 2, CENTCOM has redirected 35 commercial vessels, disabled 2, and boarded 2. pic.twitter.com/Bh84WHh3nu
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) August 2, 2026
Republican lawmaker warns of dwindling US air defense missile stockpiles
Rep. Rick Crawford, the Republican chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said the US is concerned about the depletion of its air defense missile stockpiles if the war with Iran continues.
Speaking to Fox News, Crawford urged President Donald Trump to bring the US military mission against Iran to an end, warning that prolonged fighting could further strain the country's defensive capabilities.
WATCH: Berlin march demands end to Gaza genocide
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"Trump the fool": Iranian media mock Trump over Hormuz claim
Iranian media on Sunday ridiculed US President Donald Trump after he claimed the groundwork had been laid for a deal with Tehran that would include a mechanism to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to all shipping.
Trump reiterated that Iran must give up its control over the strategic waterway. However, Iranian state media gave no indication that Tehran had changed its position. Iran has repeatedly sought to control maritime traffic through the strait, which carried about one-fifth of the world's oil supply before the war.
Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), ships of all states have the right of innocent passage through territorial seas. While Iran and Oman each have Exclusive Economic Zones in the Strait of Hormuz, those rights do not permit them to obstruct international shipping, except under limited circumstances defined by international law.
Memorial service held for US solider killed during Iranian attack
Hundreds of people gathered in Texas on Saturday to honor 19-year-old US Army Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, who was killed in action in Jordan last month.
According to the Pentagon, Gonzales was among the US servicemembers killed during an Iranian strike on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base.
A celebration of her life was held at Prestonwood Baptist Church, where military leaders and community members paid tribute to her service. An honor guard presented the colors at the start of the ceremony, followed by a bagpipe performance of "Amazing Grace."
The tribute comes as US military casualties continue to rise. According to official figures, 18 US troops have been killed and 624 wounded since the US launched its war against Iran on February 28.
Five Lebanese soldiers wounded in 'Israeli' strike south Lebanon
The Lebanese Army reported that five personnel sustained minor injuries after being targeted by an 'Israeli' strike while escorting local civilians in the town of Kfra.
The escalation comes just days prior the resumption of Rome talks between 'Israel' and Lebanon on US-brokered peace framework.
A US State Department official said the talks will take place in Rome from August 4 to 6, following the launch of initial "pilot zones" in southern Lebanon, where the 'Israeli' military said it transferred control to the Lebanese Armed Forces last week.
The State Department official said the technical talks will focus on "advancing the full implementation of the framework agreement," including expanding the pilot zone process, addressing unresolved border issues, and working toward a broader peace and security agreement.
The official described the framework as "the only path to lasting peace," adding that lessons from the initial pilot zones would help improve the process before expanding it in phases.
"The first pilot zone is a concrete opportunity to deliver real progress on the ground, restoring Lebanese state authority through the verifiable disarmament of terrorist organizations and building the confidence needed for next steps," the official said.
The talks come as Washington seeks to strengthen Lebanese state control in southern Lebanon and address long-standing security concerns along the 'Israel'-Lebanon border.
MBS, Trump discuss regional de-escalation via phone
- Saudi Arabia urges dialogue to avoid wider conflict.
- Leaders review US–Saudi cooperation.
- Both seek stronger bilateral ties.
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman held a phone call with US President Donald Trump to review regional developments and their broader international ramifications, official state news agency WAS reported.
During the discussion, the Crown Prince stressed the crucial need to prioritize dialogue to cool regional tensions, highlighting that diplomatic efforts remain essential to establishing long-term stability across the Middle East.
Riyadh warns against wider regional conflict
Focusing on the cascading risks facing the region, the Crown Prince underscored the importance of exhausting all possible measures to achieve de-escalation.
He noted that a calm environment is a prerequisite for diplomatic solutions capable of delivering positive, lasting security outcomes.
The Saudi leader cautioned that an unchecked escalation could drag the region into a far wider conflict, warning that the resulting fallout would endanger both regional and international stability.
Review of strategic US–Saudi cooperation
In addition to addressing Middle East security, the two leaders reviewed existing frameworks of bilateral cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the United States.
According to the official report from WAS, the call provided an opportunity to discuss mechanisms for enhancing joint initiatives and deepening strategic alignment across key sectors shared by both nations.
Man arrested in Cyprus over alleged spying for Iran on UK airbase
- Suspect accused of surveilling RAF Akrotiri.
- UK seeks extradition under National Security Act.
- Investigation linked to regional security threats.
A British-Azerbaijani national from north London has been arrested in Cyprus on suspicion of conducting hostile surveillance on a key British military airbase and transmitting state security intelligence to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Rashad Sultanov, 44, of Islington, was taken into custody by Cypriot authorities on July 17.
He remains held in Nicosia pending extradition proceedings to the United Kingdom.
First overseas investigation
The arrest marks a precedent as the first overseas investigation conducted under the UK's National Security Act.
Led by London Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) alongside the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the National Crime Agency, the probe centers on surveillance activities at RAF Akrotiri between May 11 and June 22 of last year.
According to law enforcement sources, Sultanov allegedly used long-lens cameras and mobile devices to photograph secure facilities, draft detailed notes, and monitor aircraft flight frequencies. Investigators allege he compiled encrypted data files and forwarded them to an IRGC-linked handler.
"This case shows we are able to use the National Security Act overseas when British military bases are allegedly targeted by hostile state activity," said Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London. "A huge amount of partnership work has been carried out between British and Cypriot law enforcement agencies."
Strategic importance of RAF Akrotiri
RAF Akrotiri is one of two sovereign base areas retained by the United Kingdom following Cyprus's independence in 1960.
Serving as the main staging point for Royal Air Force operations in the Middle East, the installation hosts Eurofighter Typhoons, F-35 fighter jets, and reconnaissance aircraft, having recently supported missions in Iraq, Syria, and against Houthi targets in Yemen.
The espionage allegations follow heightened rhetoric and military actions involving Iran.
Earlier this month, the IRGC threatened to target British facilities supporting U.S. forces, while a Shahed-type drone strike caused minor facility damage at Akrotiri in March.
Following that attack, British defense officials clarified that the base would remain separate from defensive agreements regarding the U.S. use of UK installations.
Extradition proceedings in Limassol remain ongoing as prosecutors prepare for formal transfer under bilateral legal mechanisms.
Dubai based crypto exchange 'Shelbit' funnels billions in Iranian sanctions evasion: Reuters
- Network allegedly tied to gambling and the IRGC.
- Crypto reportedly flowed to major global exchanges.
- Dubai ordered Shelbit to cease operations.
An unlicensed Dubai-based cryptocurrency exchange called Shelbit served as the central hub for an illicit $4 billion Iranian sanctions evasion network, linking an offshore illegal gambling operation, Iranian bitcoin mining, and the Central Bank of Iran to global crypto markets, a Reuters investigation revealed.
Operating out of a modest three-room office above a budget hotel in Dubai's Deira neighborhood -registered alongside a watch trading business- Shelbit processed billions in digital assets despite having no functional public website.
Influencer-fronted gambling network linked to IRGC
According to blockchain data reviewed by Reuters and analyzed by cybersecurity firm Infoblox and independent investigator Rich Sanders, Shelbit’s primary volume was generated by a Farsi-language online gambling network of over 2,000 websites offering slots, blackjack, and roulette.
The network was fronted by two prominent Iranian social media influencers: Sasha Sobhani, the son of a former Iranian diplomat living in a luxury villa in Madrid, and Pooyan Mokhtari, a singer and influencer who was recently expelled from Dubai before returning to Tehran in July.
Both men were convicted in absentia by an Iranian court in 2023 alongside Shelbit founder Siavash Kayvanpour in an illegal gambling case.
Former Iranian security insiders and government officials told Reuters that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) systematically co-opted online gambling over a decade ago, leveraging the Central Bank of Iran’s payment processing system to bypass international banking restrictions.
"This is by far the biggest Iranian illegal gambling network ever discovered and one of the biggest in the world," said John Wojcik, a former UN crime researcher now serving as a senior analyst at TRM Labs, in statements cited by Reuters.
“When it comes to gambling, the IRGC learned the Islamic Republic’s most lucrative lesson early: declare something illegal, then control both the prohibition and the black market,” added Miad Maleki, former associate director of the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
Hundreds of millions routed to Binance
Blockchain records reviewed by Reuters showed that Shelbit transferred at least $676 million in cryptocurrency to Binance since May 2024.
Roughly $540 million of those transfers occurred after Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) fined Shelbit for operating without a license.
Responding to Reuters, Binance stated that Shelbit never held a direct account and that transfers were not flagged as high-risk by third-party analytics, adding that it froze relevant accounts and reported them to authorities when compliance flags were triggered.
On July 24, 2025, following inquiries from Reuters, VARA issued an immediate cease-and-desist order against Shelbit, citing severe violations of money laundering and terrorism financing laws that threatened the integrity of the UAE financial system.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the US Treasury Department confirmed to Reuters that OFAC is taking the allegations "very seriously" as part of ongoing efforts to target Iranian digital asset networks.
Both Sobhani and Mokhtari denied any involvement in money laundering, sanctions evasion, or state-backed financial operations in their statements to Reuters, while Kayvanpour, the Iranian government, and local Dubai law enforcement did not respond to requests for comment.
Trump says US, Israel to hold off on Iran strikes at request of Tehran
President Donald Trump said Saturday that the United States and 'Israel' had agreed to hold off on planned strikes on Iran at the request of Tehran and other countries in the region, provided a deal is quickly reached.
"The USA is locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran, at levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform.
"Despite this, we have just been asked by Iran, and other Middle Eastern Countries, to hold off any attack," he said. "Based on this request, I have agreed... to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL. The Country of Israel joins me in this commitment."
Iranian drones intercepted over Iraq’s Kurdistan Region
Iran launched drone attacks on Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, with the drones reportedly intercepted, according to the Rojava news channel.
The channel published a video on Telegram that it said showed the US C-RAM air defence system intercepting and destroying Iranian one-way attack drones over Erbil.
Rojava also reported that Iran targeted the headquarters of Iranian Kurdish parties in Sulaymaniyah and Erbil with drones.
