This live blog follows the latest developments across the Middle East crisis, including regional diplomacy, maritime security, ceasefire negotiations, and economic fallout.
Catch up on Monday’s top developments here:
- Lebanon’s president says country will stick to Israel framework, counts on US to implement deal
- Kushner, Netanyahu meet in Jerusalem
- Stocks lower as Hormuz concerns and high oil prices persist
- Yemen's Houthis say targeted Saudi military vessel in Red Sea
- Trump threatens to bomb Oman if they get in way of Hormuz deal
Syria foreign ministry condemns 'unjustified' Israeli attack on airfield
Published: Aug 18, 2026 | 10:45 GMT | by AFP
Syria foreign ministry condemns 'unjustified' Israeli attack on airfield.
Iran parliament speaker Ghalibaf to visit Iraq for talks
Published: Aug 18, 2026 | 09:34 GMT | by Web Desk
Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who led negotiations with the United States to end the Middle East war, will travel to Iraq on Wednesday for talks, Iranian media reported.
Ghalibaf will head "a high-level parliamentary delegation to discuss regional developments, strengthen strategic cooperation between Tehran and Baghdad and explore joint solutions to contribute to stability and security in the Middle East," Iran's Fars news agency said.
The visit comes as Iraq faces pressure from Washington to disarm powerful Iran-backed armed factions, which have built considerable political and financial clout in the country.
Baghdad has given pro-Iran armed groups until September 30 to disarm, coinciding with the end of the US-led anti-jihadist coalition's mission.
Iran has been at war with the United States since US-Israeli attacks on the Islamic republic on February 28 triggered a conflict that spread across the Middle East.
Iran not interested in deal that ‘makes sense’ for US, Kushner says
Published: Aug 18, 2026 | 09:34 GMT | by Web Desk
US President Donald Trump's son-in-law and envoy Jared Kushner said Monday that Iran was showing no interest in reaching a deal that would "make sense" for the United States.
Speaking to Fox News' Trey Yingst, Kushner said Trump remained focused on applying economic pressure on Iran and preventing Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon.
"If Iran is willing to finish the deal they've been discussing with us to give up their ability to create a nuclear weapon, then obviously [Mr. Trump] is willing to make a deal that could be great for the Iranian people," Kushner said.
His remarks came as the 60-day negotiation period agreed under the memorandum of understanding expired.
Iran negotiator Ghalibaf says Hormuz will not open until US meets demands
Published: Aug 18, 2026 | 09:16 GMT | by AFP
Iran's top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Tuesday that the strategic Strait of Hormuz will not be opened until the United States meets Tehran's demands, including lifting a naval blockade.
"I want to state clearly that the Strait of Hormuz will not be opened until the American commitments stipulated in the memorandum of understanding... are implemented," Ghalibaf said in a speech broadcast on state television. He listed the removal of the blockade, the lifting of oil sanctions and the unfreezing of Iran's assets abroad among the demands.
Erdogan stresses continued support for lasting regional peace in call with Trump
Published: Aug 18, 2026 | 03:14 GMT | by Web Desk
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke with US President Donald Trump and stressed continued support for steps toward lasting peace in the region and the reconstruction of Gaza.
While speaking on the phone, the two leaders addressed Türkiye-US bilateral relations and regional and global developments.
Stressing the importance of making maximum use of diplomacy amid tensions between Iran and the US, President Erdoğan expressed Türkiye’s hope for the continuation of the talks and noted that Türkiye will continue to support peace efforts, the presidency said in a post on X.
"President Erdoğan said that we, through the Joint Defence Agreement that we signed with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, demonstrate a strong stance for ensuring regional stability and security," it added.
"Drawing attention to the escalation in the Israeli administration’s actions targeting Palestinians at a time when we are endeavoring to proceed to the second phase in the Gaza peace process, President Erdoğan stressed that we, as Türkiye, will continue to support the steps to be taken for lasting peace in the region and Gaza’s reconstruction."
Monday's important developments at a glance
Published: Aug 18, 2026 | 03:14 GMT | by Web Desk
Monday’s important developments included intensified diplomatic activity around Gaza, where Hamas held talks with Egyptian mediators as efforts continued to revive a US-backed peace plan, even as Israel maintained its rejection of key elements of the proposed roadmap.
In parallel, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Beirut would adhere to its framework agreement with Israel and would rely on US support to implement it. In Jerusalem, US envoy Jared Kushner met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with Israeli officials reiterating that no redeployment or reconstruction in Gaza would take place before Hamas is disarmed.
Regional diplomacy also featured discussions between Pakistan and Türkiye, during which Foreign Ministers Ishaq Dar and Hakan Fidan agreed that dialogue and diplomacy remain essential to addressing regional challenges and promoting peace. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif separately thanked US President Donald Trump for his support of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
Tensions remained high around key waterways and conflict zones. Trump threatened Oman over its role in talks related to the Strait of Hormuz, while Washington and Tehran showed no progress toward a deal to reopen the strategic shipping route.
In Yemen, Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for targeting a Saudi military vessel and four accompanying boats in the Red Sea, as the UN rights chief warned the country risked sliding back into full-scale conflict.
In the Israel-Gaza conflict, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for nightly killings of 30 to 40 people in Gaza and advocated for rebuilding Israeli settlements in the territory.
The Muslim World League condemned Israel’s rejection of a US-backed Gaza roadmap and reiterated support for Palestinian statehood and a two-state solution. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian home near Ramallah and set up checkpoints at the entrances of two villages, according to WAFA.s
Global markets reacted negatively, with most stocks falling amid concerns over the Strait of Hormuz and rising oil prices, even as expectations persisted that the US Federal Reserve would hold interest rates steady.
In Canada, annual inflation rose to 3% in July, driven in part by higher gasoline prices linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
For earlier developments, read our Aug 17 live blog here.