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 Sunday’s top developments here:

  • US strikes Iran for first time in a month
  • Iran Guards say attacked US military targets in Jordan
  • Pakistan FM, army chief to attend inaugural Makkah pact meeting 
  • Iran supreme leader calls for unity among Muslim countries
  • Gaza death toll reaches 73,454, Palestinian officials say


IRGC terming US’ strike in Hormuz as aggression ‘absolutely false’: CENTCOM

Published: Aug 31, 2026 | 01:33 GMT | by Web Desk


The United States Central Command has said that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) terming US’ strike in the Strait of Hormuz an “act of aggression” was “absolutely false.”


“US forces took limited, precise action against IRGC minelaying forces posing an imminent threat in the Strait of Hormuz,” CENTCOM said in a post on X.


“In essence, Iran created the threat and the U.S. military eliminated it to protect civilian mariners, commercial shipping, and the free flow of global commerce,” it added.



Sunday at a glance

Published: Aug 31, 2026 | 00:00 GMT | by Web Desk


Oil prices jumped around 2% on Monday, with Brent back crossing $90 a barrel, after US and Iranian forces traded strikes on Sunday. Brent crude futures crossed $90.20/ barrel up $2.22, or 2.52%, before paring gains and trading at $89.73 a barrel while US West Texas Intermediate crude was at $85.41 a barrel, up $2.01, or 2.41%.


US forces struck two Iranian launchers on Iran's Larak island in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, the first known American strikes on the Gulf nation since late July. Iran's Revolutionary Guards attacked US military targets in Jordan in response, which as per the Jordanian army, were intercepted by the country’s air defense systems,


Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir headed to Turkiye to participate in the inaugural Strategic Political and Defense Committee meeting established under the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement in Istanbul.


Separately, Iranian supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei called on Muslim countries in the region to unite against US and Israel in a written message issued six months on from the start of the Middle East war.


Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen has said that Israel would attack Iran again if Tehran attempts to revive its nuclear or ballistic-missile programs, including if Iran reaches a new agreement with the United States.

For earlier developments, read our Aug 30 live blog here.