Iran attacks UAE ships, highlights imperviousness to sanctions

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Iran attacked two UAE ships in the Strait of Hormuz, signaling it is not deterred by economic sanctions and escalating the conflict.

Strait of Hormuz crossings fall to 14 as Trump claims U.S. control

President Trump said Wednesday that the U.S. has total control of the Strait of Hormuz, but ship-tracking data shows just 14 vessels crossed the waterway on Tuesday — a fraction of the more than 130 ships a day that transited before the…

2026-08-12 · 4 MIN READ

Trump returns to Iran economic pressure as war deadlock persists

President Trump has settled on economic pressure — financial sanctions and a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports — as his latest strategy in the five-month conflict with Iran, U.S. officials said. Reluctant to resume all-out war and wary…

2026-08-10 · 4 MIN READ

US doubles Iran economic pressure as Tehran strikes UAE ships in Hormuz

Senior Trump administration officials have intensified economic pressure on Iran, making lower oil prices the top war aim and preparing new financial sanctions.
Iran attacked two United Arab Emirates ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, bringing the month's total to six such strikes, according to Emirati officials.
Ship-tracking firm Kpler reported 13 vessels crossed the strait Thursday, down from more than 130 daily before the war; nine of those 13 took the route administered by Iran.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the new measures would form a "one-two punch" with the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports, with more sanctions expected next week.
Iran demanded the U.S. end the war, lift the naval blockade and provide sanctions relief before it would reopen the strait.

2026-08-15 · 3 MIN READ

Iran sets condition for next talks as U.S. blockade grows to 55 ships

U.S. Central Command said its blockade has redirected 55 commercial vessels from reaching or leaving Iran's ports, up from 35 on Aug. 2.
The blockade, resumed July 14, aims to force Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz, the energy route Tehran has claimed control of since fighting erupted in late February.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said no talks with the United States would resume until it ends what he called violations of a June memorandum of understanding.
President Donald Trump told Axios the United States will let the blockade's economic pressure weigh on Iran rather than order new strikes, saying "We are low-keying it."

2026-08-10 · 3 MIN READ