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 Saturday's top developments here:
- Iran says any country joining US sanctions considered 'enemy'
- US envoy challenges intelligence behind Syria strike
- Iran says US put allies at risk ‘for the sake of Israel’
- Syria condemns Israeli strike as 'flagrant violation of sovereignty'
- GCC condemns Israel's settlement expansions
Trump again labels Strait of Hormuz ‘new U.S. territory’
Published: Aug 23, 2026 | 00:52 GMT | by Web Desk
US President Donald Trump has once again shared an image on Truth Social portraying the Strait of Hormuz as “NEW U.S. Territory”, renewing his controversial claim over the strategically vital waterway.
Trump first shared the image on Aug. 18, days after saying he would declare the Strait of Hormuz a US territory.
Speaking at a police academy on Long Island, New York, on Aug. 14, Trump said he would make the declaration “pretty soon” after what he described as defeating Iran.
The renewed post comes amid continuing tensions between Washington and Tehran over control of the Strait, a crucial route for global energy shipments.
Iran has rejected Trump’s claim, insisting that the waterway remains under Iranian control. The United States and Iran remain at odds over sanctions, maritime restrictions and the broader conflict between the two countries.
Saturday’s important developments at a glance
Published: Aug 23, 2026 | 00:04 GMT | by Web Desk
Iran-US tensions, fresh Israeli strikes in Syria, developments in the Strait of Hormuz and continued concern over Gaza dominated Saturday's developments in the Middle East.
Iran warned countries against joining US economic sanctions, saying any country participating in restrictions against Tehran would be considered an enemy, while Iranian officials also said the country's military operations during the war had demonstrated only a fraction of its capabilities.
Tensions between Israel and Syria also remained in focus after US envoy Tom Barrack questioned the intelligence behind an Israeli strike on a Syrian military base, prompting a sharp response from Israel. Syria condemned fresh Israeli strikes on its territory, with state media reporting that one person was wounded near Damascus.
Meanwhile, Iran allowed some Iraqi oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz as Tehran and Oman discussed efforts to reopen diplomatic talks and maritime navigation through the strategic waterway. The United States said its military had helped facilitate the movement of oil through the strait.
The situation in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories also drew renewed international concern, with the UN human rights office warning of continuing civilian casualties and the GCC condemning Israeli settlement expansion. Former French and British diplomats urged their governments to work together to uphold international law in the Palestinian territories.
In Europe, six EU countries pushed for discussions on an EU-wide windfall tax on oil companies amid higher profits and rising energy costs linked to the Middle East conflict.
For earlier developments, read our Aug 22 live blog here.