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.
Day 186 of the US-‘Israeli’ war on Iran
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Read more: Day 186 | Trump threatens to ‘smack’ Iran ‘to see what happens’
Trump claims 30 ships cross Hormuz nightly
US President Donald Trump stated that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz is in "great shape," claiming that commercial maritime traffic is moving smoothly with an average of 30 ships transiting the strategic waterway every night.
Iran downs MQ-9 drone east of Hormuz
A US MQ-9 drone was intercepted and destroyed east of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The operation was conducted using an advanced defense system belonging to the IRGC Aerospace Force, operating under the command and control of the country's integrated air defense network.
This is a developing story.
'Israel' trained Kurdish fighters to overthrow Iranian regime: Report
- Trump halted 'Israeli'-backed Kurdish incursion into Iran.
- Ahmadinejad reportedly eyed as Mossad’s post-regime successor.
'Israel's' Channel 13 revealed details on Sunday evening of a covert Mossad masterplan aimed at overthrowing the Iranian government by training thousands of Kurdish fighters inside 'Israel' to execute an armed ground invasion into Iranian territory.
According to Channel 13, the plan—code-named "Puss in Boots"—began taking shape under former Mossad Chief David Barnea following Operation "With Lions' Pride" in June 2025.
The strategy called for extensive air strikes across the Kurdish region to create a corridor through which 'Israeli'-trained Kurdish forces could enter Iran, triggering nationwide anti-government uprisings.
"Mossad officials identified former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in closed-door discussions under the code name 'The Friend', earmarking him as a prospective candidate to lead Iran following a regime collapse," Channel 13 reported.
US pushback
Thousands of Kurdish fighters were brought to 'Israel' to undergo operational training, with explicit instructions that any harm caused to civilians would result in an immediate termination of 'Israeli' military support, Channel 13 detailed.
In February 2026, during a White House meeting between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, American leadership inquired about the readiness timeline.
While Barnea estimated the collapse could take up to a year, Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir cautioned it could take up to three years.
Although President Trump initially gave a green light to initiate the campaign, Washington abruptly reversed its position three days after operations commenced.
"Three days after the start of the campaign, we received a 'Don't' message," a senior 'Israeli' official told Channel 13.
'Israeli' officials attributed Washington's sudden directive to heavy diplomatic pushback from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan alongside internal pressure from US Vice President JD Vance.
Despite efforts by the political leadership and Mossad to alter the decision, an alternative plan proposed by Barnea failed to produce the intended results.
"Project Garden"
In a separate disclosure, Channel 13 revealed that an internal review panel was established within Mossad to investigate "Project Garden"—a high-budget, global influence operation launched following October 7, 2023.
The operation was managed outside Mossad headquarters by a prominent campaign director.
Channel 13 reported that while Mossad stated the internal audit was conducted to regulate procedures rather than address financial embezzlement, the campaign adviser in charge of the project resigned shortly before Barnea's retirement.
US official claims no strikes on Iran's Kharg Island: Reuters
A US official told Reuters on Monday that the American military did not target Kharg Island during overnight operations, clarifying that no strikes were carried out against Iran’s primary oil export hub.
The statement followed a post by US President Donald Trump on Truth Social featuring an AI-generated video depicting explosions on the island.
Read more: US strikes Iran’s Larak Island, IRGC vows retaliation
Trump vows strong US response on Iranian attacks: Fox
US President Donald Trump said that Washington will retaliate forcefully against Iran after Tehran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles at American forces stationed in the Middle East region.
Speaking via telephone with Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst, Trump confirmed that US air defenses neutralized the overwhelming majority of incoming Iranian fire.
"We're going to hit them hard," US President Trump stated. "There will be a response."
Trump noted that US integrated air defense systems successfully intercepted all but one of the incoming Iranian missiles.
Military commanders allowed the single remaining missile to pass after determining it posed no threat to personnel or critical infrastructure.
The overnight exchange follows targeted US military strikes against IRGC launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz.
US Central Command stated that the preemptive strike was taken after detecting Iranian preparations to deploy sea mines along key maritime commercial lanes.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for the retaliatory attack, asserting that its forces hit US technical and maintenance infrastructure in the Middle East.
US officials rejected Iranian claims of significant damage, reporting no major operational impact or casualties.
Trump cites economic toll of sanctions
While promising military retaliation, Trump referenced ongoing diplomatic uncertainties, noting that while Iranian officials appear eager for dialogue, questions remain over whether Tehran can adhere to a formal agreement.
Trump emphasized that reinstated US economic sanctions are severely impacting the Iranian economy, restricting oil exports and intensifying pressure on the regime.
Jordan condemns Iranian drone attack on UAE
Jordan condemned Monday the Iranian attack targeting the United Arab Emirates, involving a drone that was intercepted by air defense systems over UAE territorial waters.
Jordan described the attack as a “flagrant violation” of the UAE’s sovereignty, “a threat to its security, stability and territorial integrity, a dangerous escalation, and a blatant breach of international law and the UN Charter,” according to a statement by the Foreign Ministry.
The ministry also affirmed Jordan’s “full solidarity with the sisterly United Arab Emirates and its complete support for any steps the UAE takes to protect its sovereignty, security, and the safety of its citizens and residents.”
Iran state media says two killed in US attack on Larak Island
The US attack on an Iranian island in the Strait of Hormuz killed two people and wounded several others, Iranian state media reported on Monday.
"During the attack on Larak Island late Sunday, two people were martyred and several others were injured. The injured in the incident are receiving medical services and their treatment is ongoing," said the official IRNA news agency, quoting Hossein Amir Teymouri, governor of nearby Qeshm Island, without specifying whether the victims were soldiers or civilians.
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.
