Day 160 | Iran, Oman agree on Strait of Hormuz shipping route
Iran's Foreign Ministry announced Wednesday that Iran and Oman have agreed on a shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz and are finalizing an agreement to jointly manage vessel traffic.
Iran has exercised effective control over the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most strategically important energy shipping lanes, since the United States and ‘Israel’ launched a war against it on February 28.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly insisted that Tehran is seeking an agreement to reopen the strait to commercial shipping.
Iran has denied that claim, saying it will instead make arrangements with its neighbor across the waterway, Oman.
Iran's official news agency, IRNA, quoted Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei as saying: "The geographic coordinates of the route envisioned by both sides have been agreed upon. If certain third parties do not obstruct the process, the joint statement by the two countries, which includes the main considerations and points of agreement, is also in the final stage of review and drafting."
Baqaei also told reporters that talks with Oman are progressing, but stressed that reaching an understanding with Muscat does not mean the strait has become safe for all passing vessels.
"The factors that make the Strait of Hormuz unsafe on the part of the United States remain in place, particularly the naval blockade and other hostile actions and threats directed against Iran and its interests," he said.
Before the outbreak of the war, about one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas exports passed through the Strait of Hormuz. Energy prices have risen repeatedly since the conflict over the waterway began, increasing economic and political pressure on Washington to bring it to an end.
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'Israeli' military strikes Hezbollah in south Lebanon
- Says attacks follow deadly Majdal Zoun explosion.
- Weapon depots and command center targeted.
- Troops remain deployed in southern Lebanon security zone.
The 'Israeli' military said on Thursday that it carried out strikes against Hezbollah infrastructure across several areas in southern Lebanon over the past 24 hours.
According to the statement, the military operations were conducted in direct response to an incident on Wednesday in the area of Majdal Zoun.
During that incident, an explosion resulted in the deaths of Major (Res.) Harel Birenstock and Sergeant Major (Res.) Tamir Vaknin, while four other 'Israeli' military soldiers were severely injured.
The 'Israeli' military detailed that the targets struck during the 24-hour wave of raids included weapon storage facilities, a command center, and additional infrastructure.
The military emphasized that 'Israeli' military soldiers remain deployed in the Security Zone in southern Lebanon in accordance with the established agreement. It added that forces will continue operating in the area to remove threats directed toward 'Israeli' settlers and 'Israeli' military soldiers.
Hormozgan official denies reports of attacks on Qeshm
Hormozgan Deputy Governor Ahmad Nafisi refuted reports of hostile strikes targeting the province, confirming in an interview with state news agency IRNA that no impacts or strikes occurred on Qeshm Island or in the city of Bandar Abbas.
Explosions near Iran's Qeshm: Tasnim
- Iranian media says military operations caused explosions.
- Blasts reported near Qeshm Island.
- Incident occurred near Strait of Hormuz.
- Officials say more details will follow.
The sound of two explosions heard on Qeshm Island was the result of forces engaging hostile enemy targets at the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz, informed sources told Iran's Tasnim News Agency.
According to the report, the two explosions were heard on the island at approximately 9:40 PM on Thursday.
The informed sources added that the achievements of this confrontation carried out by naval personnel will be released to the public in the coming hours.
This is a developing story.
Trump rejects reports over Hegseth clash, praises military
- Trump defends Hegseth over reports of discontent.
- Praises military actions and leadership.
- Credits Hegseth with recruitment gains and DEI cuts.
- Accuses Washington Post of false reporting.
US President Donald Trump publicly reaffirmed his full support for War Secretary Pete Hegseth, dismissing media reports regarding internal administration friction as "completely unfounded" and labeling press coverage of the matter "treasonous."
Writing on his social media platform, Truth Social, President Trump pushed back against reporting from mainstream news outlets, asserting that Hegseth enjoys widespread respect within the military and has delivered exceptional operational results.
"The Fake News, as usual, is spreading false and completely unfounded rumors," Trump wrote. "I am extremely happy with the job that Pete Hegseth is doing. Everything has been extraordinary."
Praise for Venezuela operation and military action against Iran
In his post, President Trump highlighted major foreign policy and military operations under Hegseth's tenure as proof of effective leadership.
Specifically, Trump pointed to the recent U.S. action in Venezuela, stating that the objectives were achieved rapidly and resulted in the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, whom he described as "one of the worst criminals anywhere in the World."
Trump also referenced military operations targeting Iran, declaring that the campaign to neutralize Tehran's nuclear ambitions is progressing effectively:
"Likewise, Iran, where the country has been decimated for the purpose of NOT ALLOWING IT TO EVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON, is going very well!" Trump posted.
Focus on Pentagon reforms
Beyond overseas military engagements, President Trump lauded Hegseth's internal management of the War Department.
He credited the War Secretary with restoring military standing, eliminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs across military branches, and boosting armed forces recruitment to historic highs.
Closing his statement, President Trump placed the blame for recent reporting directly on The Washington Post -referring to the paper as "The Washington ComPost"- and accused media outlets of publishing stories they knew to be false.
"This rumor was started by The Washington ComPost, one of the worst Media Outlets in the business, despite our telling them their story is completely FALSE," Trump stated. "In actuality, I really believe their fake 'reporting' is treasonous!"
Suspected Houthi attack hits Yemeni Emergency Forces camps in Marib
Several casualties were reported after a suspected Houthi rocket and drone attack targeted Yemeni Emergency Forces camps in Marib and Hadramaut, according to the internationally recognized government.
Iranian army says it is "fully prepared" against threats
Iranian army spokesman Brigadier General Amir Akraminia said the force is boosting operational readiness through modernization, new equipment, and domestic capabilities.
Pakistan says diplomatic efforts on Strait of Hormuz ongoing
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said it remains engaged with regional partners to resolve the Strait of Hormuz crisis, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif set to visit Saudi Arabia from Aug. 6–8 alongside the foreign minister and army chief.
Pakistan hopes Hormuz agreement will lead to resumption of Iran-US talks
Pakistan hopes an agreement over the Strait of Hormuz will lead to the United States and Iran resuming talks under a memorandum of understanding Islamabad helped mediate, the foreign office said Thursday.
"We hope that the agreement on the Strait will pave the way for continuing dialogue, particularly the resumption of technical level talks between Iran and the United States," foreign ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi told reporters.
Several wounded in overnight 'Israeli' strikes on southern Lebanon
Several people were wounded in overnight 'Israeli' air strikes on the southern Lebanese towns of Burj Shemali and al-Mansouri, while artillery shelling and machinegun fire continued to target nearby areas into the morning, according to Lebanon's National News Agency.
Two ‘Israeli’ soldiers killed in southern Lebanon by explosive device: military
The ‘Israeli’ military announced Thursday morning that two soldiers were killed yesterday and four were seriously injured in southern Lebanon.
They are identified as Major (Res.) Harel Birenstock and Chief Master Sergeant (Res.) Tamir Vaknin.
The statement did not give further details on how they were killed.
But Hebrew media said the soldiers were killed on Wednesday by an improvised explosive device (IED) likely planted by Hezbollah while searching a building in Majdal Zoun, southern Lebanon – an area occupied by the ‘Israeli’ military.
‘Israeli’ military accidentally fires missile at its own forces in Lebanon
The ‘Israeli’ military said Thursday that it fired an interceptor missile at its own forces in southern Lebanon.
The target the missile was launched at was later revealed to have been fire by ‘Israeli’ forces during what they say were “operations” in southern Lebanon.
No injuries were reported in the incident, which is under investigation, the statement by the military adds.
Trump says he’d “rather make a deal” with Iran because he doesn’t want to kill people
US President Donald Trump said Thursday that prefers to strike a deal with Tehran, as he “doesn’t want to kill people”.
“We're knocking the hell out of them, knocking the hell out of them,” Trump said in Las Vegas.
“I'd rather make a deal, because I don't want to kill people. I do not want to kill people”.
“But we are talking, let's see what happens,” he adds.
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