Day 185 | US and Iran trade attacks, marking first escalation in a month
The US military struck Iran’s Larak Island on Sunday, hitting two launchers after forces were seen preparing to deploy rockets carrying mines into the Strait of Hormuz, according to a US official. Iranian media reported an explosion near the island.
The strike came after US Central Command said it had cleared sea mines from international shipping routes through the strategic waterway. President Donald Trump warned that any new mines would be “immediately and systematically destroyed.”
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps vowed retaliation, saying the attack caused casualties among Iranian forces and civilians. The IRGC called the strike a “strategic and deadly mistake.”
The attack was the first US strike on Iran since July 29, as Tehran and Oman continue talks on restoring maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The White House said there are currently no negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
UAE slams Iran drone attack as “dangerous escalation”
The United Arab Emirates on Monday condemned an Iranian drone attack intercepted over its territorial waters, calling it a "dangerous escalation".
The foreign ministry said in a statement on X that it "strongly condemned the hostile Iranian attack on the country involving a drone that was intercepted by air defence systems over UAE territorial waters", adding that the UAE reserved the "full and legitimate right to respond".
Araghchi says Netanyahu boasting about pulling US into conflict with Iran
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Monday accused ‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of openly claiming credit for drawing the United States into war with Iran.
In a post on X, Araghchi responded to a video of Netanyahu stating he had spent nearly 1,000 hours on American television over close to 40 years to shift US understanding of the need to confront Iran directly.
“In Hebrew, Netanyahu openly crows that he suckered the U.S. Administration into a war on Iran on behalf of Israel,” Araghchi wrote.
In Hebrew, Netanyahu openly crows that he suckered the U.S. Administration into a war on Iran on behalf of Israel.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) August 31, 2026
Netanyahu explicitly laughs about how he "influenced" America through 1,000 hours of airtime on U.S. networks.
In English, he praises POTUS' leadership.
Serpent. https://t.co/O2hXExS91M
“Netanyahu explicitly laughs about how he ‘influenced’ America through 1,000 hours of airtime on U.S. networks. In English, he praises POTUS’ leadership. Serpent.”
The comments follow recent military exchanges.
On Sunday, US forces struck Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz after observing Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps units preparing to launch rockets with sea mines into the waterway, according to US Central Command.
Iran reported casualties among its forces and civilians, called the action a deadly attack, and vowed retaliation, launching missiles toward what it claimed were US-linked sites.
UAE denies claims Iran targeted base housing US forces with missiles
The United Arab Emirates on Monday denied claims that Tehran targeted a base housing US personnel with missiles, after announcing it had intercepted an Iranian drone over its waters.
"Media reports regarding a missile attack on Al Minhad Air Base are baseless," the Emirati defence ministry said in a statement on X.
Earlier on Monday, Iran had said it targeted the base using "dozens of attack drones".
UAE says its forces “dealt” with an Iranian drone over territorial waters
The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence said on Monday that its air forces “dealt” with a drone over the country’s territorial waters originating from Iran.
The statement added no further details.
Earlier today, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it launched dozens of attack drones at what it said were US military personnel stationed at Al Minhad Air Base in the UAE.
Oil tanker catches fire after hitting mines near Hormuz, Iran says
Iran said Monday an oil tanker caught fire near the Strait of Hormuz after it hit two naval mines, state media reported.
"A rogue supertanker attempting to pass through the illegal route south of the Strait of Hormuz caught fire in massive fires after striking two naval mines and was brought to a complete stop," Iran's Revolutionary Guards said in a statement.
VIDEO - Iran releases footage of drone strikes at UAE
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) released footage of what it says are “dozens” of attack drones launched at US troops in Al Minhad Base in the United Arab Emirates.
Iran condemns new US attacks, says its forces acted in self-defence
Iran on Monday condemned renewed US attacks on its island of Larak and justified strikes as "legitimate defence".
In a statement, the foreign ministry said Iran "strongly condemned the American military aggression on Larak", adding that Iranian forces responded "in accordance with the inherent right of legitimate defence".
Iran says launched “dozens” of attack drones at UAE
Iran said Monday it targeted US military personnel at an air base in the United Arab Emirates, state TV reported.
Tehran "targeted the areas where US helicopters and personnel are stationed at Al Minhad Base in the UAE, using dozens of attack drones," the army said, adding that the strikes were in retaliation for a US attack on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz.
China’s top airlines post $1.2B first-half loss
China’s three largest state-owned airlines reported combined first-half net losses of about 8.2 billion yuan ($1.22 billion), marking their seventh consecutive year of losses.
Air China, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines were hit by soaring jet fuel costs, which rose 35%–38% in the first half amid supply disruptions linked to the Middle East war.
The carriers also faced disrupted international routes and weak domestic demand. Unlike many regional rivals, Chinese airlines hedge relatively little of their fuel purchases, leaving them more exposed to oil-price swings.
IRGC says it shot down US MQ-9 drone over Hormuz
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said its air defenses shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran's Pezeshkian: Iran will respond decisively to any aggression
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran does not seek war but will not remain passive in the face of any aggression.
“We do not seek war, but we will not stand idly by in the face of any aggression and will respond decisively to the aggressors,” Pezeshkian said.
He warned that instability and unrest in the region would serve no country’s interests and would create challenges for all states.
Trump shares AI video depicting Kharg Island bombing
US President Donald Trump shared an AI-generated video on Truth Social depicting the bombing of Iran’s Kharg Island, showing oil facilities and a tanker exploding. The post was captioned, “Kharg Island being blown to smithereens!!! President DJT.”
Kharg Island is a major Iranian oil export hub and has been repeatedly threatened by Trump during the war. Trump has previously shared AI-generated imagery depicting attacks on the island.
More secondary sanctions planned against Iran, says US Treasury chief
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Reuters that Washington plans to impose additional secondary sanctions on Iran every week, starting with banks.
Bessent said the US blockade of Iranian ports had reduced China’s imports of Iranian oil. He also warned banks that holding Iranian funds or assisting the Iranian government was unacceptable.
The planned measures are part of Washington’s broader campaign to increase economic pressure on Iran.
Trump reiterates that Iran must not be allowed a nuclear weapon
US President Donald Trump reiterated that Iran must never obtain a nuclear weapon, saying Tehran “won’t have a nuclear weapon” in an interview with Fox News.
Trump described Iran’s leadership as “very violent, evil people” and argued that Tehran would have used a nuclear weapon if it had acquired one.
He warned that the Middle East could have been “essentially gone,” claiming ‘Israel’ would have been destroyed and that the United States or Europe could have been targeted next.
US Central Command says IRGC’s ‘minelaying forces’ on Larak Island posed ‘imminent threat’
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces took “limited, precise action” against IRGC forces laying mines and posing an “imminent threat” in the Strait of Hormuz.
“In essence, Iran created the threat, and the US military eliminated it to protect civilian mariners, commercial shipping, and the free flow of global commerce,” CENTCOM said on X.
CENTCOM rejected Iran’s claim that the strikes constituted “an act of aggression.”
‘Israeli’ plan to topple Iran’s government faltered, Channel 13 reports
‘Israel’s’ Channel 13 has revealed details of what it described as a Mossad operation aimed at toppling Iran’s government. The report said the agency had pursued several projects to destabilize Tehran, including an influence campaign known as “Project Garden,” which later prompted an internal review over alleged financial mismanagement. The Mossad said the review found no evidence of embezzlement.
Following ‘Israel’s’ “Rising Lion” operation in June 2025, Mossad chief David Barnea reportedly promoted a plan codenamed “Booted Cat,” telling political leaders that removing Iran’s government was achievable. Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was reportedly identified as a potential future leader, while the plan envisioned an ‘Israeli’ air assault in Iran’s Kurdish region to enable Kurdish forces to enter the country and potentially trigger mass protests.
Channel 13 reported that thousands of Kurdish fighters trained in ‘Israel’ for the operation. In January 2026, ‘Israel’ reportedly considered launching it amid mass protests in Iran but delayed the move over military readiness concerns. During a February meeting, US President Donald Trump reportedly asked Netanyahu when ‘Israel’ would be ready, with Barnea estimating about a year and military chief Eyal Zamir up to three years to remove Iran’s government.
Trump reportedly approved the operation, but the plan changed days later after the White House ordered ‘Israel’ to halt the entry of Kurdish forces into Iran. An ‘Israeli’ official told Channel 13, “After three days of the campaign, we received the word: Don’t.” The report attributed the decision to opposition from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and pressure from US Vice President JD Vance. An alternative plan proposed by Barnea was later considered weaker and ultimately failed to achieve its objectives, according to Channel 13.
WATCH: Jordan intercepts 8 missiles that entered its air
The Jordan Armed Forces said it intercepted eight missiles that entered the Kingdom’s airspace early Monday morning. The military said its air defenses responded to the incoming threats to protect Jordanian territory.
Jordan intercepts 8 missiles entering its airspace
Jordan’s Armed Forces said its air defense systems intercepted and destroyed eight missiles that entered the Kingdom’s airspace early Monday.
The military said the missiles were destroyed before posing a threat to civilians or property. It added that the interceptions were carried out based on operational assessments and established rules of engagement, with the armed forces remaining on high alert to protect Jordan’s airspace and security.
US says it has redirected 83 vessels since reinstating Iran blockade
US Central Command says it has redirected 83 commercial vessels, disabled three and boarded two since reinstating its naval blockade of Iran on July 14.
The latest figures show one additional vessel was redirected over the past 48 hours, compared with 82 vessels reported on Friday.
US strikes Iran to prevent Hormuz mine threat: Axios
A US source told Axios that US forces targeted Iranian military sites to prevent the deployment of sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
The strikes targeted two Iranian launchers on Larak Island that were reportedly being prepared to launch rockets carrying sea mines into the strategic waterway.
