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:
- Yemen condemns Iran's targeting of UAE oil tanker in Strait of Hormuz
- Qatar welcomes Security Council condemnation of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia
- Iran’s new governance of Strait of Hormuz is irreversible: Army spokesperson
- US trying to maximize amount of oil, gas coming out of Hormuz: JD Vance
- Saudi Arabia condemns attack on UAE tanker
Turkiye says expects Egypt to join defense pact
Published: Aug 9, 2026 | 02:46 GMT | by AFP
Turkiye's foreign minister said Saturday he expected Egypt to join a joint defense agreement with regional partners designed to stabilise the region that is grappling with the Middle East war.
Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan signed the agreement on Friday against the backdrop of war between the United States and Iran, which has drawn in surrounding nations and disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.
The war has emboldened Iran and its Houthi allies in Yemen, both of which have attacked Saudi Arabia, and a drone last month hit US assets at an Egyptian port on the Mediterranean.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told state news agency Anadolu he expected Egypt to join the "Mecca Joint Defence Agreement", calling the country a "natural partner on all issues".
"I believe that at the next stage Egypt will also be among us in the alliance. We already act toward one another as if we were alliance members," he said in an interview.
"There are a few technical issues. Once these are implemented, there is no reason for Egypt not to be part of it."
Fidan said the agreement does not target a specific country.
"There is no common threat that we have put in writing," he said, according to the news agency.
Pakistan's foreign ministry said Friday the pact meant an attack on any member would be regarded as an attack on all, adding it was "intended to strengthen collective deterrence."
In the interview, Fidan said the agreement was "the most important step toward bringing lasting stability to this region", and suggested the alliance could expand further.
"Under our president's vision, we should not remain limited to three countries. We should grow and, if necessary, bring all countries under this umbrella," he said.
Saturday's developments at a glance
Published: Aug 9, 2026 | 00:15 GMT | by Web Desk
Tensions around the Strait of Hormuz remained high on Saturday as Yemen condemned Iran's targeting of a UAE oil tanker, calling it a serious threat to maritime navigation and commercial vessels. Saudi Arabia also condemned the attack as an assault on maritime security and global energy supplies.
Qatar welcomed a UN Security Council statement condemning Houthi rocket attacks against Saudi Arabia since July 13 and attacks against commercial ships since July 22. Doha renewed its solidarity with Saudi Arabia and support for measures to preserve its sovereignty and security.
Iranian Army spokesperson Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia said the United States had no choice but to accept Iran's new mechanism for controlling shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, describing the arrangement as irreversible.
US Vice President JD Vance said Washington was seeking to maximize oil and gas flows through the Strait of Hormuz while maintaining pressure on Iran. He said the United States would continue applying pressure to secure oil and gas from the Middle East.
Oman said talks with Iran over the future administration of the Strait of Hormuz were “positive and constructive” but warned against repeated attacks on shipping.
For earlier developments, read our Aug 8 live blog here
.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
.jpg&w=3840&q=75)