US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated in recent days that “sanctions unprecedented in history” are being used to force the collapse of the Iranian regime, citing Venezuela and Cuba as examples demonstrating that this strategy is working. He stated that all mines in the Strait of Hormuz have been removed or rendered harmless, while no negotiations with Iran are underway or planned.
US Vice President Vance stated that the duration of the economic pressure on Iran is unknown. In an interview with Newsmax, he stated that the American leadership does not know how long the campaign announced by Donald Trump will last. According to Vance, Iran can withstand the pressure for “several weeks, several months, or perhaps even longer.” The goal of the campaign is to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
The Trump administration believes Omani authorities have made too many concessions in negotiations with Iran over control of the Strait of Hormuz, the Associated Press reported, citing sources. As the agency notes, the United States disagrees with a series of agreements reached between Iran and Oman. Specifically, Washington opposes the agreement on joint control of the two countries’ entry and exit points through the Strait of Hormuz and the collection of transit tolls from shipowners. The White House believes Oman has not been firm enough in negotiations with Iran.
According to MS Now, Hegseth is attempting to cover up Iran’s destruction of the US Navy’s main refueling base in the Middle East due to growing concerns about the living conditions of sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. The issue of resource depletion aboard the aircraft carrier arose because Hegseth withheld information about supply disruptions to the country’s warships, the television station reported.
Meanwhile, China has raised its voice; Chinese authorities consider any unilateral measures by Washington against countries supporting Iran to be illegal, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said. “I would like to reiterate that China opposes illegal unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law and have not been approved by the UN Security Council,” he said, commenting on US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s remarks about increased pressure on countries supporting Iran.
Israeli news outlet Ynet reported that the Turkish Navy has begun deploying naval forces in recent years to areas of the Eastern Mediterranean where it previously had no regular presence. The outlet clarified that the Turkish Navy does not currently pose a “primary threat” to the Israeli Navy, but that Israel is closely monitoring Turkey’s naval presence in the region.
According to Israeli security officials, this increased activity is creating a maritime situation in which Turkish and Israeli warships are sometimes operating in close proximity to each other. Ynet also reports that the Israeli Navy intends to expand its fleet in response to this new strategic situation. Plans are underway to increase the current fleet of 15 missile patrol boats, first to 17, then to 19, and finally to 21.
Pirates seized a vessel carrying Turkish weapons off the coast of Somalia. According to the Associated Press, the Cameroonian-flagged merchant ship LUTUF was seized approximately 6.5 kilometers from the town of Marraya. On board were weapons, communications equipment, and satellite equipment destined for the Turkish military training center in Mogadishu. The crew consists of ten people: six Indian citizens, two Serbian citizens, and citizens of Turkey and Georgia.
Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, told the Jerusalem Post: “After receiving credible information that Turkey is conducting a systematic military expansion in the region, Israel launched attacks on the Ebu al-Duhur air base in Syria. Israel considers this move a direct violation of previous agreements aimed at freezing the status quo and preventing further border violations in northern Syria (which were reaffirmed at a meeting in Paris in January 2026). Israeli officials have stated that neither Syria nor Israel seek direct conflict, but Leiter continued to criticize Ankara for expanding its military presence, accusing it of supporting regional radical groups.
Israel Hayom reports that Israel has studied the operation of Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and states that Israeli attacks against Turkish forces stationed abroad will not necessarily lead to NATO intervention. Article 5 protects Turkish territory, but does not automatically apply to Turkish troops stationed in Syria or Northern Cyprus.
Israeli official Rabbi David Yosef: “There is no Palestinian people. Gaza is ours, Nablus is ours, and Jenin is ours.”
A member of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades confirms the death of Fathi Ghazal “Abu Raed,” killed in an Israeli attack.
Tensions between Lebanon and Iran. Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Reza Raouf Sheibani was declared persona non grata in March 2026, and his credentials have not been accepted in recent days. His entry visa was not renewed because he was persona non grata.
According to local sources, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are preparing for a major escalation in the border situation. Therefore, Abu Dhabi urgently needs additional ground forces. The Emirates will have the opportunity to return to Yemen and perhaps even partially recover what was lost last year.
The U.S. State Department has approved a potential deal to sell Qatar up to four KC-46A tanker aircraft, along with related equipment, for a total of $4.5 billion.
Trump’s threats have left Omani authorities perplexed, Al-Monitor reported, citing Omani sources. According to Omani authorities, Trump’s statements are more likely related to a public need to shift the blame for the failure of negotiations with Iran onto another country.
Transit through the Strait of Hormuz has almost completely ceased following attacks on UAE vessels, Reuters reported, citing data from analytics firm Kpler. Five commercial vessels passed through the strait on August 15, while none were recorded on August 16. Meanwhile, 31 commercial vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend of August 8-9.
And now let’s look at the military scenarios updated at 4:00 PM on August 21: a Palestinian was reportedly shot dead after carrying out what Israeli authorities described as a stabbing attack against Israeli soldiers near Jenin, in the northern West Bank. Israeli attacks against Nablus, West Bank. Israeli military reinforcements sent to the village of Aboud, northwest of Ramallah.
Israeli destruction in southern Lebanon shows no sign of abating: Israeli forces continued military operations throughout southern Lebanon with artillery bombardments against Mays al-Jabal, Barashit, Talouseh, Al-Mansouri, the suburbs of Mayfadoun, Hadatha, Al-Tiri, Sarbin, Wadi al-Saloqi, Douha Kfar Rumman, Ali al-Taher, Shebaa, Houla, and the suburbs of Shaqra.
Air strikes targeted the Dubsha area near Douha Kfar Rumman and Douha Kfarman, while explosions were reported in Mays al-Jabal, in the Al-Mansouri area, Zawtar al-Sharqiyah toward Yihmur al-Shaqif, and Al-Tiri.
Israeli forces also fired machine guns toward Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, Hadatha, Talouseh, Al-Mansouri, and other areas. Drones dropped sound bombs and explosives on Al-Mansouri and Ali al-Taher, while smoke bombs were reported in Mays al-Jabal.
A house was reportedly set on fire in Talouseh, and Israeli military vehicles were seen moving from Al-Taybeh toward Al-Qantara, as well as within Hadatha.
The Houthis announced that they had targeted a sensitive site near Najran Airport and Aramco oil facilities in Najran, Saudi Arabia, with drones. Pirates seized two vessels with 30 sailors off the coasts of Yemen and Somalia. According to the Hindustan Times, the Eritrean-flagged oil tanker Sibu 1 was seized in the Gulf of Aden. There were 20 crew members on board, including 16 Indian nationals. The Cameroonian-flagged vessel M/V LUTUF was seized off the coast of Somalia’s Puntland region. There were 10 people on board, including six Indian nationals.
UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported a security incident 136 nautical miles east of Mukalla, Yemen. Omar Al-Bukaiti, a spokesman for the Houthi government, stated that since July 20, Ansar Allah Forces have implemented new military strategies against Saudi Arabia, including “blockade in exchange for blockade,” “protecting Yemen’s sovereignty from any violation,” and “attacking Saudi military gatherings wherever they are.” He added that Yemeni forces have blocked the passage of 48 ships through the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea and targeted eight Saudi oil tankers, while continuing to monitor Saudi maritime traffic in the region.
Mohammed Al-Farrah, a senior Ansar Allah official, rejected Saudi media claims that the drone strikes against Ansar Allah represent a military breakthrough, arguing that pro-Saudi forces and their allies have failed to achieve their objectives despite years of military operations and are attempting to portray the limited drone strikes as a major victory through media propaganda.
The Houthis released a 10-minute video showing attacks against Saudi-backed troops, vehicles, and tanks in Marib and along the western coast.
Reports are emerging of explosions in the Strait of Hormuz, allegedly caused by Iran firing anti-ship missiles at vessels. Iranian police announced the seizure of 17.7 tons of various narcotics, 786,000 liters of contraband fuel, and 430 firearms, including 118 military weapons and 312 hunting weapons, during a nationwide operation conducted over the past 48 hours.
The director general of Hormozgan Airport also announced the resumption of direct flights from Bandar Abbas to Rasht and Gorgan, after a suspension of several months. The U.S. Treasury Department has imposed new sanctions on individuals and entities linked to Iran, Hezbollah, Russia, and Cuba. According to the announcement, three Turkish citizens have been sanctioned for alleged ties to Iran, while seven other individuals have been sanctioned for alleged ties to Hezbollah, including an Iranian citizen.
Antonio Albanese e Graziella Giangiulio
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