Wednesday 12 August 2026 07:30 UTC
Iran Keeps Hormuz Closed as US Missile Stocks Tighten
In the 24 hours ending 12 August at 07:30 UTC, Iran rejected an early reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Rezaei, Iran’s security council secretary, said closure would continue until Washington accepts Iranian conditions.
Iran wants the war to end and frozen funds released. An Iran-Oman shipping agreement would remain separate from reopening the strait. Qatar said those talks had reached an advanced stage.
About nine million barrels of oil now pass through Hormuz each day. This remains far below the level before the war. The US raised its 2026 Brent oil forecast from $82 to $87.
Donald Trump, the US president, again threatened Iran with a powerful attack. He said Tehran privately accepts positions that it rejects in public.
US forces fired on a Panama-flagged ship heading toward an Iranian port. The vessel was accused of trying to breach the US blockade.
Iran is using drones and moving missiles together against US air defences. A missile penetrated a US base in Jordan last month. It killed three US soldiers and wounded more than 100.
The United States has fired over 1,500 Patriot interceptors during the war. Its remaining stock is estimated at fewer than 1,700. Iran said it could maintain missile and drone production for years.
Trump said an Iranian assassination threat changed his travel plans after a NATO summit. Security teams secretly moved him onto another military aircraft in Ankara.
Trump announced the release of Robert Gilman, a former US Marine, from Russian prison. Gilman had been held since 2022 and recently suffered serious health problems.
Ukrainian drones caused fires across Novorossiysk port in Russia. Fires affected an oil terminal and areas near a naval base. Ukraine also attacked Russian drone teams operating against Kherson.
North Korea fired its second ballistic missile in less than one week. The missile landed outside Japan’s protected economic waters.
US private hiring slowed for a sixth straight week. Employers added only 8,250 jobs weekly during the latest four-week period. Existing-home sales also fell 1.7% in July.
A communications failure contributed to a recent near-collision near Washington. The incident involved the presidential helicopter and a passenger jet. Officials are now addressing faults in the air traffic system.
England faces an extreme heat warning, with temperatures forecast to reach 38C. The summer is on course to become the United Kingdom’s hottest recorded.