Thursday 13 August 2026 07:30 UTC
Hormuz Shipping Stalls as Ukrainian Drones Hit Russian Sites
In the 24 hours ending 13 August at 07:30 UTC, shipping through Hormuz remained near a standstill. Only 14 vessels crossed on Tuesday, compared with about 120 before the war. Eleven used an Iranian-approved route. None used the traditional central passage.
Donald Trump, the US president, said America had total control of the Strait of Hormuz. He also suggested that the United States could keep control of the strait. Iran denied that talks had extended its 60-day ceasefire with Washington.
Iran said negotiations had made no progress. It accused Washington of breaking an interim agreement shortly after signing it. Hormuz remains a central dispute between both sides.
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Mohammad Reza Naqdi, a senior Iranian military adviser, said Iran could continue the war until Trump leaves office. Pakistan said the deadline for the interim agreement could be extended.
The US blockade has now redirected 59 commercial vessels. US forces have boarded two vessels and disabled three others for refusing orders.
CIA analysts gave low confidence to Israeli intelligence about an Iranian plan to kill Trump. The alleged threat prompted his secret departure from Turkey last month.
Ukrainian drones forced the Orsk oil refinery to halt operations completely. Other drones struck the large Gazprom refinery and chemical complex in Salavat.
Further attacks damaged both Russian frigates at Novorossiysk and hit two grain terminals. Those terminals handle about 15 million tonnes of grain exports each year. Wheat prices rose 2.4% on concerns about disruption.
A second attack on the Balaklava power station left Sevastopol without electricity. Internet service also failed across the Russian-occupied Crimean city.
Ukrainian drone teams easily found a large US armoured formation during a German military exercise. They simulated destroying many vehicles before US troops improved their hiding and movement methods.
Germany approved wider powers for its foreign intelligence service. The service can now conduct hacking, secret operations and non-lethal sabotage against foreign threats.
Nineteen countries in the Americas began planning a joint campaign against international criminal networks. Working groups must produce a formal campaign plan by November.
US consumer prices rose 3.4% annually in July, matching expectations. Core inflation reached 2.5%. The figures strengthened expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep rates unchanged in September.
The UK economy grew 0.4% during the three months ending in June. A record number of students also secured university places.
Norway’s sovereign wealth fund earned a record $185 billion during the first half. Strong semiconductor stocks helped the fund deliver a 12.95% return.
An oil spill reached beaches near a protected turtle breeding area on Qeshm Island. Cleanup work started, but the source remained unknown.
A US Army Apache helicopter crashed near Salado, Texas, killing both soldiers aboard.